British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has issued a government apology for the fact that Father James Chesney was not properly investigated following the Claudy bombings.
During the House of Commons weekly question time, Mr Clegg said the British government was 'profoundly sorry'.
Mr Clegg was replying to a question from the DUP's Gregory Campbell.
Nick Clegg added that terrorists had been responsible for what he described as a despicable act but said Britain's coalition government was not considering holding a public inquiry into Claudy.
Last month, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman and the Northern Secretary Owen Paterson apologised for the fact that Father Chesney's involvement had not been fully examined.
Earlier, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness told how he went to see Fr James Chesney shortly before he died in Co Donegal.
Mr McGuinness said he gave no indication that he was involved in the Claudy explosions which killed nine people.
