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On June 20th, 1958, an improvised explosive device detonated at 51 Lime Street. It was the grand opening of the new Lloyd's building, and Prime Minister Harold Macmillan had been on hand for the event. The blast killed 27 people, including both Macmillan and Rab Butler, and injured almost 100 more.

In the ensuing days, Derick Heathcot-Amory took over as Acting Prime Minister. The bombing was claimed by the Irish Republican Army, who timed the attack to coincide with another bombing on the headquarters of the Ulster Special Constabulary and smaller raids on USC and RUC facilities in Londonderry, Newry and Rosslea.

Amory dispatched additional British Army patrols to the affected regions within Northern Ireland, but stopped short of punitive raids, a position which drew criticism from many and which made clear a sharp divide within the Conservative Party. The next months saw the bombings gain momentum, with a combined death toll of 24 over just 3 months. Giving in to pressure, Amory called for an emergency leadership convention. After a brief six-week campaign, Enoch Powell, who had stepped in as Chancellor of the Exchequer to replace Amory, emerged as the clear front-runner. He won the leadership handily and formed a new Conservative government, promising retribution against the IRA and any who supported them.
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