10th December 1988: In an effort to counter the propaganda being issued by the government controlled television media, the Royalist forces launched their own television news channel broadcasting to areas under their control.
9th December 1988: Midlands Today reported that attempts by Government para-military and security forces to "arrest or assassinate" civic leaders instrumental in declaring Birmingham an open city had failed following the intervention of local Territorial Army and armed Police units.
7th December 1988: BBC Scotland reported that Prime Minister Cranwell had opened discussions with Scottish National Party leader Gordon Wilson about moves towards Scottish independence in return for direct involvement on the republican side in the civil war spreading across England.
6th December 1988: Canadian television reported that rebel British Army generals had approached the Prince of Wales with a view to him assuming the crown following the abdication of the Queen and becoming a figurehead for disparate anti-republican elements in Britain to rally against.
4th December 1988: Local news stations provide first reports of a series of major battles that occurred in Tyne & Wear and Teeside as rebel forces push north-east to seize the North Sea ports. Fierce fighting continued throughout December as the government forces lost control of much of the region including Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Middlesborough. By the end of the month Hull was the only major port on the North East coast of England still under government control.
2nd December 1988: BBC News reported that British National Party leader John Tyndall had created an extreme right-wing militia called Spearhead to "protect English society" against the "anarchy sweeping the country". Details of the size of the militia vary from 200 to almost 2,000 with units across the country operating independently and often at the agenda of their own local commander. Spearhead's military impact at this time was extremely varied and the militia gained a reputation as much for committing racially motivated atrocities as it did for military action.
1st December 1988: Local news stations reported a decision by Birmingham City Council to declare Birmingham an "open city" and a "demilitarised population centre" in an effort to not become embroiled in the increasing violence sweeping across the Republic of Britain. The Republican Government responded by declaring the move illegal and the Home Office issued orders to West Midland Police to arrest the ring leaders.
