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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". |
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." |