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Villiers Loughgall killings inquest move criticised Villiers Loughgall killings inquest move criticised
(35 minutes later)
Nationalist politicians have criticised a decision by Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to block moves for a fresh inquest into the SAS killings of eight IRA men at Loughgall in 1987.Nationalist politicians have criticised a decision by Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to block moves for a fresh inquest into the SAS killings of eight IRA men at Loughgall in 1987.
It was revealed in a letter from NI Attorney General John Larkin to the campaign group, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).It was revealed in a letter from NI Attorney General John Larkin to the campaign group, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).
In the letter, Mr Larkin said the move was "profoundly wrong in principle".In the letter, Mr Larkin said the move was "profoundly wrong in principle".
CAJ Director Brian Gormally said the families wanted a proper investigation.CAJ Director Brian Gormally said the families wanted a proper investigation.
"I can only imagine what the families go through, when time after time, avenue after avenue is closed down to them," he said."I can only imagine what the families go through, when time after time, avenue after avenue is closed down to them," he said.
"From the point of view of justice and human rights, we need a proper investigation."From the point of view of justice and human rights, we need a proper investigation.
"It's why as solicitor for the families, we asked the attorney general to open a fresh inquest.""It's why as solicitor for the families, we asked the attorney general to open a fresh inquest."
Undercover soldiers shot the IRA men as they approached Loughgall police station, in County Armagh, with a 200lb bomb in the bucket of a hijacked digger in May 1987.
A civilian, Anthony Hughes, was killed and his brother badly wounded when they were caught up in the gunfire.
Ms Villiers said the decision had been referred to Northern Ireland's advocate general, Dominic Grieve, who is also attorney general for England and Wales, rather than Mr Larkin.Ms Villiers said the decision had been referred to Northern Ireland's advocate general, Dominic Grieve, who is also attorney general for England and Wales, rather than Mr Larkin.
She said this was because matters of national security were involved,She said this was because matters of national security were involved,
"It is still the same decision about whether to have an inquest, it is just a different law officer who is making that decision," she said."It is still the same decision about whether to have an inquest, it is just a different law officer who is making that decision," she said.
"In both cases, law officers act entirely independently of government, and in both cases exactly the same criteria are applied."In both cases, law officers act entirely independently of government, and in both cases exactly the same criteria are applied.
"It's just the law provides for a different decision maker where national security considerations are at stake because they continue to be reserved matters.""It's just the law provides for a different decision maker where national security considerations are at stake because they continue to be reserved matters."
In his letter to the CAJ, Mr Larkin said he was "currently reflecting on the appropriate response".In his letter to the CAJ, Mr Larkin said he was "currently reflecting on the appropriate response".
Undercover soldiers shot the IRA men as they approached Loughgall police station, in County Armagh, with a 200lb bomb in the bucket of a hijacked digger in May 1987.
A civilian, Anthony Hughes, was killed and his brother badly wounded when they were caught up in the gunfire.
SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said the move was "politically wrong and legally questionable".SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said the move was "politically wrong and legally questionable".
"The British government's intervention in the attorney general's well-considered decision gives very poor example to the political parties in Northern Ireland who are attempting to grapple with the issue of dealing with the past," he said."The British government's intervention in the attorney general's well-considered decision gives very poor example to the political parties in Northern Ireland who are attempting to grapple with the issue of dealing with the past," he said.
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said: "This is yet another example of the British government denying families the opportunity to get to the truth about the deaths of their loved ones.Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said: "This is yet another example of the British government denying families the opportunity to get to the truth about the deaths of their loved ones.
"Cabinet ministers in London are once again showing complete disregard for families and instead are focusing on protecting their own interests.""Cabinet ministers in London are once again showing complete disregard for families and instead are focusing on protecting their own interests."