Bloody Sunday relatives fear another 'whitewash'

Relatives of people shot dead on Bloody Sunday nearly three decades ago claimed today the new inquiry into the killings could…

Relatives of people shot dead on Bloody Sunday nearly three decades ago claimed today the new inquiry into the killings could turn into "another whitewash".

The 29th anniversary march and rally to mark the tragedy in Derry heard that those bereaved and injured feared the tribunal may never be able to hold those responsible to account.

The claims, delivered by Mr Micky McKinney to a crowd of thousands in the city's Bogside district, echoed comments by Sinn Fein's Mr Martin McGuinness on Friday that he was "sceptical and suspicious" of the capabilities of the inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate.

Mr McKinney whose brother William (26) was among the 13 Catholics shot dead during the paratroop operation in the Bogside on January 30, 1972, spoke of the doubts raised about the inquiry in recent months.

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Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams and the party's chief negotiator Mr McGuinness were among those who heard Mr McKinney say: "We are concerned at the ability of the inquiry to deliver on the open and accountable investigation that was promised by Tony Blair in 1998."

The inquiry has been sitting in public in the Guildhall in Derry since March last year and to date has cost more than £30 million.

Mr McKinney attacked the Ministry of Defence which has no full-time legal representation at the inquiry and claims it has no case to answer. He also spoke out against the destruction of official documents, photographs and weapons which he said would hinder the inquiry's investigations.

The Saville Inquiry will not sit tomorrow or on Tuesday because of the anniversary.

PA