The former British prime minister today defended the much-maligned Widgery Inquiry to the Saville Inquiry saying the appointment of Lord Widgery "assured" independence. The Widgery Inquiry was held within weeks of Bloody Sunday, and received Sir Edward's full support.
He handpicked Lord Widgery, then the Lord Chief Justice, as its chairman for his impartiality. He was not the sort of man who would take a "steer", he said.
Sir Edward denied pressuring Lord Widgery into producing a report that was favourable to the security forces, saying the conclusions reached were achieved "without fear and favour".
Lord Widgery's appointment "assured" independence, argued Sir Edward dismissing claims that impartiality was compromised because Lord Widgery was an English judge who had served in the army.
"As any one who knew Lord Widgery would confirm, his integrity was beyond doubt or question."
But Sir Edward said he warned Lord Widgery that the Government was engaged in a "propaganda war".
"I did so because it was clear that, irrespective of whether the hearings were conducted in public or not, the inquiry would attract media attention and publicity, and he would find himself in the middle of it. We needed to be sure that he was aware of that fact."
Sir Edward chaired a Cabinet-level committee on Northern Ireland three days before the march.
It was concluded that IRA or hooligan attempts to infiltrate and exploit it "could not be ruled out and must be prepared for in contingency planning", the inquiry heard.
Use of firearms was discussed but no specific political authority was sought or given for their use, Sir Edward recalled.
In his inquiry statement he added: "It would have been understood that firearms should be used only if those in command on the ground considered their use to be absolutely necessary and only as permitted by the Yellow Card [the army's rules of engagement document]."
He was at Chequers with the crew of his boat, discussing the forthcoming sailing season when he learned of the bloodshed in the Bogside, he said, describing the killings as "totally unexpected".
Later that night he took a "highly charged and emotional" telephone call from the Taoiseach Jack Lynch.
Sir Edward (86) is only the second Prime Minister to appear before a government-appointed inquiry to answer questions on Downing Street policy while they were in power.
Baroness Thatcher appeared before an inquiry into the arms-for-Iraq affair in December 1993.
PA