Families of victims of Bloody Sunday expressed outrage today at the application by the British government for restrictions on the evidence of former MI5 agent Mr David Shayler.
The British government Security Services has requested the inquiry chamber be cleared of reporters and the public while Mr Shayler gives his evidence in camera, and that lawyers of the families present a list of prepared questions to the inquiry counsel in advance of the hearing.
This would give Security Service lawyers the opportunity to examine and vet the transcript for at least one hour before Mr Shayler gives his evidence.
Families of the Bloody Sunday victims have criticised the application and claim it is an attempt by the British security services to frustrate the workings of the tribunal. They claim the move also impedes the transparency promised by the establishment of the tribunal.
Mr Shayler has issued a statement to the inquiry concerning an IRA double agent code-named ‘Infliction’, who claimed that Sinn Fein’s Mr Martin McGuinness fired the first shot on January 30th, 1972 when 14 men were killed by the security forces.
The British Home Office has justified the application for the restrictions on the basis that a full public hearing could lead to the identification of ‘Infliction’.
The application is due to be heard next Monday.