There was official collusion in the murder of Billy Wright, his father alleged yesterday on the first day of the inquest into the death of the LVF leader.
The inquest at Downpatrick Courthouse heard that Wright was shot dead inside the Maze Prison on December 27th, 1997, by three members of the INLA as he and another LVF prisoner sat in a prison van.
Under Northern Ireland law the death in custody of a prisoner must be the subject of a jury inquest.
Yesterday Billy Wright's father, Mr David Wright, informed the court that he intended to represent his immediate family himself. The move caused consternation among legal representatives, in particular counsel for the Northern Ireland Prison Service who objected to Mr Wright's participation. After 20 minutes of legal argument the coroner ruled in Mr Wright's favour. The court heard evidence from a consultant pathologist, Dr J.R. Press, who informed the court that Billy Wright had died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest. In his deposition Mr Wright alleged that there were a series of irregularities within the Maze Prison which contributed to his son's death. He said: "It is my belief that Billy's murder was state-arranged, state-sponsored and state-sanctioned in collusion with some of the prison management".
Legal representative of the Northern Ireland Prison Service objected to Mr Wright's evidence. The jury was then asked to leave as another legal argument developed. Eventually, the coroner ruled that Mr Wright's evidence was admissible.
Evidence was heard from a prison officer who had been with Billy Wright in the back of the prison visitor van. The officer's statement was read out and included details of the moment that the prison van door was pulled open and the INLA gunman began firing.
The court heard how the officer cowered in the back of the prison van during the shooting and then fled the van without checking if Billy Wright and his fellow prisoner were alive or dead.
The inquest was adjourned until 10.30 a.m. this morning.