Menu
05/03/2010
Bloody Sunday Report Imminent
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has said he hopes to be in a position to publish Lord Saville's report into Bloody Sunday within days of receiving it.
The families had feared that the publication of the 5,000-page report, which took 12 years and cost £200m, could be delayed until the forthcoming general election was over.
But after meeting relatives and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Shaun Woodward reassured them he would attempt to make it available within days of him receiving it at the end of the month.
Shaun Woodward was speaking in Londonderry on Thursday after meeting relatives of the 14 people killed by British soldiers on 30 January 1972.
The relatives of those killed asked Mr Woodward to give them the report at the same time as he receives it.
The report is to go to the Government in the week beginning 22 March.
The relatives had previously criticised Mr Woodward because they had been told they would not get the report until two weeks after they had received it.
They said they feared it could be amended or have parts withheld, but on Wednesday, Mr Woodward said the report had taken too long to complete.
He was speaking to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster.
Mr Woodward promised he would only take about two weeks to consider the mammoth document but added that nobody knew when Prime Minister Gordon Brown would call the election.
The £200m inquiry was set up in 1998 to re-examine the events of 30 January 1972, when British soldiers shot dead 14 people in Londonderry's Bogside.
Just days ago, a leading politician, Alliance leader, David Ford also met relatives in Derry and acknowledged that comments he made in a leaked email had caused offence.
He said the inquiry was a 'waste of time' and noted: "This comment was taken out of the context of a hastily-written email and is not a full representation of my views," he said.
"I realise that my choice of language was clumsy and inarticulate, and its publication has caused hurt.
"I am very pleased to have been able to meet with some of the families and I have apologised to them for the comment that caused offence."
(BMcC/GK)
The families had feared that the publication of the 5,000-page report, which took 12 years and cost £200m, could be delayed until the forthcoming general election was over.
But after meeting relatives and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Shaun Woodward reassured them he would attempt to make it available within days of him receiving it at the end of the month.
Shaun Woodward was speaking in Londonderry on Thursday after meeting relatives of the 14 people killed by British soldiers on 30 January 1972.
The relatives of those killed asked Mr Woodward to give them the report at the same time as he receives it.
The report is to go to the Government in the week beginning 22 March.
The relatives had previously criticised Mr Woodward because they had been told they would not get the report until two weeks after they had received it.
They said they feared it could be amended or have parts withheld, but on Wednesday, Mr Woodward said the report had taken too long to complete.
He was speaking to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster.
Mr Woodward promised he would only take about two weeks to consider the mammoth document but added that nobody knew when Prime Minister Gordon Brown would call the election.
The £200m inquiry was set up in 1998 to re-examine the events of 30 January 1972, when British soldiers shot dead 14 people in Londonderry's Bogside.
Just days ago, a leading politician, Alliance leader, David Ford also met relatives in Derry and acknowledged that comments he made in a leaked email had caused offence.
He said the inquiry was a 'waste of time' and noted: "This comment was taken out of the context of a hastily-written email and is not a full representation of my views," he said.
"I realise that my choice of language was clumsy and inarticulate, and its publication has caused hurt.
"I am very pleased to have been able to meet with some of the families and I have apologised to them for the comment that caused offence."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 October 2009
Jail Recall For Loyalist Halloween Murderer
A loyalist killer released under the Good Friday Agreement has been returned to prison. Torrens Knight had his licence suspended by the NIO Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, (pictured) yesterday, after being found guilty of assaulting two women in Coleraine.
Jail Recall For Loyalist Halloween Murderer
A loyalist killer released under the Good Friday Agreement has been returned to prison. Torrens Knight had his licence suspended by the NIO Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, (pictured) yesterday, after being found guilty of assaulting two women in Coleraine.
27 July 2009
'Deep Regret' Over NI Checkpoint Death
The British government has expressed its "deep regret" at the death of Aiden McAnespie, who was shot at an army checkpoint in Co Tyrone, 21 years ago. Mr McAnespie, 24, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1998.
'Deep Regret' Over NI Checkpoint Death
The British government has expressed its "deep regret" at the death of Aiden McAnespie, who was shot at an army checkpoint in Co Tyrone, 21 years ago. Mr McAnespie, 24, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1998.
14 November 2024
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
24 September 2009
Bloody Sunday Report Delayed - Again
A claim earlier this week by the outgoing SDLP Leader Mark Durkan that the Bloody Sunday Inquiry report will not be published until March next year has proved to be true. He was commenting after speculation that the report wouldn't be published in December as promised.
Bloody Sunday Report Delayed - Again
A claim earlier this week by the outgoing SDLP Leader Mark Durkan that the Bloody Sunday Inquiry report will not be published until March next year has proved to be true. He was commenting after speculation that the report wouldn't be published in December as promised.
31 January 2011
'Last Ever' Bloody Sunday Parade Held
Thousands of people turned out in Londonderry yesterday for the 39th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday atrocity.
'Last Ever' Bloody Sunday Parade Held
Thousands of people turned out in Londonderry yesterday for the 39th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday atrocity.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
