The co-author of a book which alleged that Mr Martin McGuinness handed out nail bombs to youth members of the IRA on Bloody Sunday today denied claims that it was politically motivated.
Mr Kathryn Johnston, who wrote Martin McGuinness: From Guns To Governmentwith her husband, Sunday Timesjournalist Mr Liam Clarke, told the Saville Inquiry that they had tried to contact the Sinn Féin chief negotiator to seek his co-operation for the book.
Mr McGuinness, who is due to give evidence next week, has dismissed the claims in the book as "absolute rubbish" and "malicious". He has admitted in his statement to the Inquiry that he was second in command of the Provisional IRA in Derry on Bloody Sunday.
Ms Johnston, giving evidence on the first day of the Inquiry's return to the Guildhall in Derry, denied that she had a political agenda. "There certainly is not and, in fact, we did attempt to contact Martin McGuinness on three or four occasions to seek his co-operation for the book."
Questioned by Counsel to the Inquiry, Mr Christopher Clarke QC, Ms Johnston said she had been a member of the Workers' Party, which was politically linked to the Official IRA.
"I certainly was a member of the Workers' Party which I joined around 1976 to 1977 and left in the mid 80s and have had no connection with the Workers' Party since that time."
Before Ms Johnston gave evidence, Mr Clarke revealed that both she and Mr Clarke had submitted further statements to the Inquiry dealing with the evidence of former Provisional IRA members who have come forward in recent weeks.
The Inquiry is examining the events of January 30th, 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by members of the Parachute Regiment during a civil rights march in Derry.
Having finished gathering evidence from soldiers at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, the Inquiry is taking evidence from journalists, civilian witnesses and members of the Official and Provisional IRA.
It is hoped that the remaining witnesses will finish giving evidence before Christmas. The lawyers will then return to the Guildhall around March 2004 to make final submissions.The final report of the inquiry's findings is expected to be published by the end of 2004.