Wright Inquiry Publication Set For Autumn

A date has been announced for the long-awaited publication of the report of the Billy Wright Inquiry in the North.

Chaired by Lord MacLean, it will be published on 14 September and is to take place now that the required 'checking process' has been completed.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, said today that he has met his obligations in respect of the European Convention on Human Rights and said: "I am therefore satisfied that the report can be published in full and I have advised Lord Maclean of this."

He explained that this checking process had now been completed and said: "I have received advice from the checking team which confirms that there is nothing in the report which, if published, could breach Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights by putting the lives or safety of individuals at risk, or put national security at risk," he told the House of Commons.

"However, given the time needed for the Panel to finalise the text and to print the report, it will not be feasible to publish the report to Parliament before summer recess.

"I have therefore written to Lord MacLean asking him to retain custody of the report over recess.

"The report has not been shown to me or to any other member of the government, or to any officials except the five members of the team which carried out the checking process.

"I have not been briefed on the contents of the report, nor have any officials other than those in the checking team," Mr Paterson explained, noting, "as with the publication of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry report, I intend to consider giving advance sight to those who were designated as Represented Parties by the Inquiry, to their legal representatives, and to some Members of this House".

See: Wright Report Reviewed

(BMcC/KMcA)