This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27199485

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ballymurphy Army killings: Villiers rules out independent review Ballymurphy Army killings: Villiers rules out independent review
(35 minutes later)
A call for an independent panel to examine the deaths of 10 people in Belfast in August 1971 has been rejected by the NI Secretary. A call for an independent panel to examine the deaths of 11 people in Belfast in August 1971 has been rejected by the NI Secretary.
Families of those shot dead by the parachute regiment in Ballymurphy in August that year, had been pressing Teresa Villiers on the issue. Families of 10 people shot dead by the parachute regiment in Ballymurphy in August that year, had been pressing Teresa Villiers on the issue.
They wanted a seven-member panel to examine all documents and papers. An 11th person died of a heart attack after allegedly confronting soldiers.
However, Ms Villiers said the balance of public interest "does not favour establishing an independent review". Ms Villiers said the balance of public interest "does not favour establishing an independent review".
The families wanted the panel to be modelled on the one that examined the Hillsborough disaster. "I do not believe that such a review would provide answers which are not already in the public domain or covered by existing legal processes," she said.
"In reaching this decision, I have sought to balance the strong and clear views of the families with the need to ensure that existing legal mechanisms can continue to carry out their functions without being impeded by an additional process."
In a statement, the Ballymurphy families said they were "shocked and outraged" at the government's response.
"We have led our campaign for truth and justice in a dignified but determined manner and deserve the opportunity to have the innocence of our loved ones proven," they said.
"We feel that the Conservative-led British government is treating us in a disrespectful and shameful manner.
"We have demonstrated flexibility in that our proposed approach is not a 'costly and lengthy public inquiry'. It is a tried, tested and cost effective model."
The families said that they may legally challenge Ms Villier's decision.
The families wanted a seven-member panel to examine all documents and papers.
They wanted it to be modelled on the one that examined the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Then, 96 people lost their lives during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
They proposed that it would be chaired by former Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and funded by the British and Irish governments.They proposed that it would be chaired by former Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and funded by the British and Irish governments.
Members of the Parachute Regiment claimed they opened fire after being shot at by republicans during Operation Demetrius, when people suspected of paramilitary activity were interned.Members of the Parachute Regiment claimed they opened fire after being shot at by republicans during Operation Demetrius, when people suspected of paramilitary activity were interned.
A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among those killed over a three-day period.A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among those killed over a three-day period.
After an application from the families the attorney general directed the coroner to re-open inquests into the deaths in November 2011.After an application from the families the attorney general directed the coroner to re-open inquests into the deaths in November 2011.