Ian Gow was a prominent Conservative Member of Parliament and a vocal opponent of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). On July 30, 1990, he was assassinated at his home in East Sussex, England, through a car bombing orchestrated by the IRA. The attack was a direct response to Gow's earlier statements, wherein he assured the IRA that the British government would not concede to their political demands. This incident underscored the escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict over Northern Ireland and the lengths to which the IRA would go to retaliate against those they viewed as adversaries.

The bombing sent shockwaves through the British political landscape, as Gows’ murder highlighted the gravity of the threat posed by the IRA. The attack not only resulted in the tragic loss of a sitting MP but also raised questions concerning the security measures in place for public figures. His assassination further galvanized the British government and its approach to dealing with the paramilitary organization. Major political changes and heightened security concerns followed this incident, which was part of a larger pattern of violence attributed to the IRA during this tumultuous period.

As a member of Parliament with a strong stance against appeasing the IRA, Gow's assassination was particularly resonant. It illustrated the bitter divisiveness in British and Irish politics, with both nationalist and unionist factions clashing unabated. This event ultimately contributed to the continuance of hostilities in Northern Ireland, making it a pivotal moment in both Gow's life and the ongoing conflict.