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04/03/2010
Ford Offers Bloody Sunday Summit
Alliance leader David Ford is prepared to meet with the families of those killed on Bloody Sunday to explain his views on an inquiry into the 1972 incident.
A leaked briefing note, written by Mr Ford last November, described the multi-million pound inquiry into the 14 deaths as "pointless".
Mr Ford said the long-running proceedings had "enriched lawyers but not necessarily achieved anything for the families".
"I personally don't think that I am the only individual in Northern Ireland who feels the spending of £200m on enriching lawyers rather than dealing in a different way with the needs of the victims is a fairly ineffective way of dealing with the problem," the document read.
However, Mr Ford - the man tipped to take up the office of Northern Ireland justice minister - has offered to retract some of his comments, should victims' families find them inappropriate.
He has also offered to meet with relatives of those killed to discuss his views.
Nationalist politicians have criticised Mr Ford over his remarks.
Sinn Fein Derry Assemblyman Raymond McCartney said the "vast majority" of the city's citizens would greet the statement with "disdain".
Foyle MP Mark Durkan of the SDLP accused Mr Ford of not understanding the implications of Bloody Sunday and the subsequent inquiry.
"One thing he doesn't know is the importance of the Saville Inquiry and the significance of Bloody Sunday, not just to the families who lost loved ones but also to the community in Derry and many people beyond," he said.
Mr Ford has blamed the SDLP of leaking the briefing note. He said there is no ill will towards victims and their relatives.
The Alliance man said: "Is it insensitive to use an unfortunate, hastily written word in a private email or is it insensitive to make an issue of it to upset people four months later by making it public?"
Lord Saville's inquiry into the Bogside shootings on 30 January 1972 was set up almost 12 years ago.
British army personnel shot dead 14 people during the incident.
(PR/NS)
A leaked briefing note, written by Mr Ford last November, described the multi-million pound inquiry into the 14 deaths as "pointless".
Mr Ford said the long-running proceedings had "enriched lawyers but not necessarily achieved anything for the families".
"I personally don't think that I am the only individual in Northern Ireland who feels the spending of £200m on enriching lawyers rather than dealing in a different way with the needs of the victims is a fairly ineffective way of dealing with the problem," the document read.
However, Mr Ford - the man tipped to take up the office of Northern Ireland justice minister - has offered to retract some of his comments, should victims' families find them inappropriate.
He has also offered to meet with relatives of those killed to discuss his views.
Nationalist politicians have criticised Mr Ford over his remarks.
Sinn Fein Derry Assemblyman Raymond McCartney said the "vast majority" of the city's citizens would greet the statement with "disdain".
Foyle MP Mark Durkan of the SDLP accused Mr Ford of not understanding the implications of Bloody Sunday and the subsequent inquiry.
"One thing he doesn't know is the importance of the Saville Inquiry and the significance of Bloody Sunday, not just to the families who lost loved ones but also to the community in Derry and many people beyond," he said.
Mr Ford has blamed the SDLP of leaking the briefing note. He said there is no ill will towards victims and their relatives.
The Alliance man said: "Is it insensitive to use an unfortunate, hastily written word in a private email or is it insensitive to make an issue of it to upset people four months later by making it public?"
Lord Saville's inquiry into the Bogside shootings on 30 January 1972 was set up almost 12 years ago.
British army personnel shot dead 14 people during the incident.
(PR/NS)
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