The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, will come under renewed pressure in the House of Commons this afternoon to announce a full, independent inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday.
Dr Norman Godman, the chairman of the Labour Backbench Northern Ireland Committee, confirmed he would press Mr Blair - during Commons question time - about the Prime Minister's most recent discussions on the issue with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and when he plans to make an announcement.
But it was being made clear last night that Dr Godman's was not a "planted" question, and that no undertakings had been given to him by either Downing Street or the Northern Ireland Office.
And the expectation at Westminster was that Mr Blair would "play for time" as he and senior ministers consider their options ahead of next week's 26th anniversary of the day members of the Parachute Regiment killed 14 civilians in Derry in highly controversial and still-disputed circumstances.
Amid continuing speculation about a behind-the-scenes Whitehall battle involving the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence, a Downing Street spokesman again insisted that no decisions had been reached, and that no announcements were imminent, as a result of London's evaluation of the review of evidence presented by the previous Irish Government.
The Taoiseach has told Mr Blair firmly that, in his view, an apology for the events of Bloody Sunday would not be acceptable as an alternative to a full, independent inquiry. But Irish Government sources last night maintained they had no indication yet as to the likely timing or content of the eagerly-awaited British government statement.
Earlier indications had been that Whitehall would resist "another Widgery", and reject much of the Irish review of the evidence as "not knew", while perhaps ordering a limited inquiry into a specific number of the issues raised.
However some senior Labour figures believe Dr Mo Mowlam, the Northern Ireland Secretary, is prepared to go for a full inquiry, and appear confident that Mr Blair might eventually over-rule the presumed opposition of defence chiefs.
They have also been arguing privately that, following last week's conclusion of the propositions for `heads of agreement' in the Stormont talks in face of Sinn Fein opposition, London should be increasingly sensitive to the importance of this issue, both to the Taoiseach and to the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume.
But even among those most enthusiastic about a fresh inquiry there is a keen awareness of the problems posed to Mr Blair's government in framing an apology which might open the door to heavy private litigation and, more crucially, in ordering an inquiry which might eventually raise the question of possible prosecutions.
However, Labour MPs and Bloody Sunday campaigners alike appear convinced that the legislation covering tribunals and inquiries could offer immunities to enable an inquiry to separate a fresh examination of the facts from any question of retribution.
George Jackson, in Derry, writes: A spokesperson for the families of the 14 men shot dead by British army paratroopers on Bloody Sunday has described the claim that the soldiers "acted magnificently" as an insult to the dead.
The claim by Lieut Col Derek Wilford, who led the paratroopers into the Bogside 26 years ago this month, was made during an interview on Channel 4 News.
Mr Tony Doherty of the Bloody Sunday Trust said Lieut Col Wilford's comments had angered the families and he should examine his conscience.
Mr Doherty also criticised the former British Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, who told Channel 4 News that although he was Prime Minister at the time, he was not responsible in any way for the atrocity.
Mr Doherty, whose father Paddy was one of the Bloody Sunday victims, said Sir Edward should examine his conscience.