The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, may be subpoenaed to appear before the Bloody Sunday inquiry if he persists in refusing to assist it, yesterday's hearing was told.
When Mr Declan Morgan QC, representing two men wounded by troops on Bloody Sunday, raised a question as to why statements were not yet available from "certain critical politicians," counsel to the tribunal, Mr Christopher Clarke, said Dr Paisley had declined to assist so far.
The chairman, Lord Saville, added: "Mr Paisley has been approached by us. He has declined to assist and the question will arise in due course as to whether his evidence, or the evidence he might give, is so important that if he continues to decline he should be subpoenaed to appear."
Mr Morgan also asked about Mr John Hume. Mr Clarke told him that Mr Hume's statement was now with the tribunal.
Asked about the position in relation to the UUP deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, counsel said that Mr Taylor had not replied to letters from the tribunal.
Mr Clarke also indicated that the statement of Col Derek Wilford, who was OC of 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday, has now been received by the tribunal.
No new information has been provided at the inquiry in relation to a number of other prominent figures who have not yet supplied statements to the inquiry. They include Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein and Ms Bernadette McAliskey.