The Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Derry has received a draft statement from solicitors representing the North's Education Minister, Martin McGuinness. Mr McGuinness said this morning that he intended to stand with the people of Derry who were involved in a battle with the British establishment and Ministry of Defence, and to give evidence to the Tribunal.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry resumed after the Easter recess and has been hearing evidence from people who were on the civil rights march in January 1972, when 13 people were shot dead by British soldiers. While the public session continued, it was confirmed that solicitors for the inquiry had received a draft statement from the Mr McGuinness. It is understood that in this statement, he confirms to the Inquiry that he was second in command of the IRA in Derry at the time of the shootings. He also reportedly says that the Provisionals did not fire at the British Army on the day.
A spokesperson for the tribunal said that their legal team would now arrange an interview with him to take an official statement, but it could be several months before the Sinn Féin MP is called to give evidence. The relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday in Derry have welcomed Mr McGuinness's decision to give evidence to the inquiry. John Kelly, Bloody Sunday relatives' spokesman, said that Mr McGuinness informed the group on Saturday that was going to make a statement, but Mr Kelly said that they did not see its contents.
The DUP said that if Mr McGuinness confirms his role in the IRA, he should be prosecuted. Stormont Minister Gregory Campbell, of the DUP, said that the acknowledgement by Mr McGuinness that he was in the IRA was no surprise. He added that it would make it more difficult for Unionists to sit in the Stormont executive with him. Mr McGuinness accused the DUP of being opposed to any attempt to "place the responsibility for the events of that day where (it) lies, that is, the British Army and their political masters". Thirteen unarmed civilians were shot dead by the British Army in the Bogside on January 30 1972. A fourteenth died later.
Speaking to reporters in Belfast, the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid welcomed Mr McGuinness' co-operation with the inquiry. Martin McGuinness would not comment on his statement to the inquiry.
