State Papers

Blair rejected inquiry into killing of loyalist terrorist Billy Wright amid prison claims

Official inquiry in 2010 found no collusion between republicans and security forces

Late loyalist leader Billy Wright in early 1997. An official inquiry reported in 2010 that there was no evidence of collusion between republican paramilitaries and the security forces in his killing. Photograph: PA Photo
Late loyalist leader Billy Wright in early 1997. An official inquiry reported in 2010 that there was no evidence of collusion between republican paramilitaries and the security forces in his killing. Photograph: PA Photo
Shane Hickey in London
Tue Dec 30 2025 - 06:00 • 2 MIN READ

Then British prime minister Tony Blair initially dismissed calls for an inquiry into the death of loyalist terrorist Billy Wright after claims that prison staff were involved in the murder.

The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) leader was shot dead while serving a sentence in the Maze prison in 1997, prompting a campaign by his father for a public inquiry into his death.

In a letter to David Wright in 1999, released by the National Archives in London, Blair strongly rejects any suggestion of senior prison staff involvement in the death.

Billy Wright, nicknamed “King Rat”, was a vocal opponent of the peace process and was believed to have killed up to 20 Catholics in sectarian attacks. He was shot dead on December 27th, 1997, in the Maze while being transferred to a visitors’ hall to meet his girlfriend. Three members of the INLA were convicted of the murder.

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David Wright also asked for a meeting with the prime minister and said he was a victim of “selective justice”.

[ Billy Wright murder: Dublin was concerned about loyalist’s prison transfer ]

But Blair rejected the appeal for both a meeting and a public inquiry. At that stage, there had been three separate investigations into the death.

“As to the involvement of prison staff in the murder, I emphatically refute any suggestion that this was the case. In their deliberations, none of the investigations found any such evidence, and any such implication is totally without foundation,” Blair wrote.

“Those who killed your son are known, have been convicted of murder by due process of law, and the fundamental issues surrounding his death have been resolved.

“I cannot agree that two court hearings held in open and public courts along with a published inquiry report can be described as ‘selective justice’.”

An official inquiry was eventually held into the death and reported in 2010 that there was no evidence of collusion between the republican paramilitaries and the security forces in the killing. The family had suggested that MI5 had set Wright up for assassination in jail.