Mayhew to consider new evidence on Bloody Sunday

John Hume, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and relatives of some of those who died on Bloody Sunday have presented to Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what they say is striking new evidence on the tragedy.

Mr Hume said, after the 20-minute meeting with Sir Patrick, that he hoped there would be a fresh inquiry into the 13 killings in Londonderry on 30 January 1972. Sir Patrick had agreed to study the evidence, which included eyewitness testimony showing that the Army was shooting live ammunition into the city's Bogside estate, post-mortem examination notes, recordings of army radio messages and a copy of recent Channel 4 news reports.

"This was a very significant meeting. It was brief and to the point. We presented a substantial volume of material, which the families know very well is new evidence," Mr Hume said.