The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made a significant U-turn on his comments questioning the usefulness of the Bloody Sunday tribunal.
Nationalist politicians had condemned his remarks as insensitive and clearly political. Some relatives of the 14 civilians shot dead by the British army had called for his resignation.
In a statement last night, Mr Hugh Orde retreated from his earlier comments. He said it was important to establish the truth of what happened on Bloody Sunday and it was not his intention to cast doubts on the legitimacy of the inquiry.
"Society has a responsibility to find out what has happened in historical cases but we must also meet the needs of the present. There are a growing number of calls for investigations into historical cases.
"What I was saying is that perhaps now is the time to look again at how we go about establishing the truth and meeting the needs of victims and their families," he said. The chief constable had told yesterday's Financial Times the inquiry was a waste of money and society needed to draw a line under its history.
"Apart from making lawyers' millionaires, will it satisfy the families? I don't think so," he had said. He added the inquiry costs would pay for two police colleges. Established in 1998 by the British prime minister, Mr Blair, it is estimated the inquiry could cost up to £2 million. It is due to resume in London next week.
SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, said the chief constable had displayed "insensitivity and ignorance that has not marked his contribution up until now. His comments are not just hurtful to many but damaging to himself and should be withdrawn."
Mr Liam Wray, whose brother Jim was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, called on Mr Orde to "consider his position" and described his comments as "offensive in the extreme".
"The money issue is irrelevant. For 31 years, our family and others have been campaigning to redress the situation. These people were shot in circumstances that must be investigated.
"If Hugh Orde's brother had been murdered on Bloody Sunday, would Hugh be so happy to draw a line in the sand? His position now is such that he may have to resign. Any top policeman who says we should ignore murders in the past, he might not be the proper man for the job." Mr John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said he wondered if Mr Orde was "on the same planet as the rest of us". He added: "The costs for the search for justice and truth should be immaterial.
"Does this mean every time a case comes before the courts, it is a waste of time and money. Has Huge Orde joined the unionists who are the only people who criticise this inquiry?" Mr Kelly said the chief constable must apologise.
Sinn Féin chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, described Mr Orde's remarks as a "complete red herring". He had "once again highlighted the political nature of both his and the PSNI's role". The British government had to "face up to the actions of its agents", he said.
The vice-chairman of the North's Policing Board, Mr Denis Bradley, who as a priest anointed several of the Bloody Sunday dead, said Mr Orde's initial comments may have been "a little bit awkward" and he was much happier with his second statement.There was truth in his belief that everyone needed to draw a line in the sand, he added.