Carson resigns from the British Cabinet

Westminster, 19 October 1915 - Sir Edward Carson, the leader of Unionism in Ireland, has resigned from the British Cabinet.

Carson was appointed to the position of Attorney-General in the wartime coalition government when it was formed in June 1915.

Speculation

It is speculated that his resignation is not related to disputes around conscription but rather relates to affairs in the Near East. Other reports emanating from London claim that he was also perturbed by the running of government by an ‘inner cabinet’ and by differences with ‘Nationalist Party in regard to some legal appointments in Ireland’.

There is even speculation - carried in The Irish Times - that Sir Edward Carson had ambitions to seize the Premiership from Mr. Asquith.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]