Bloody Sunday QCs quit

The trouble-hit inquiry into the Bloody Sunday shootings suffered a further setback yesterday after it emerged that three QCs representing victims and their families had resigned from the case.

The trouble-hit inquiry into the Bloody Sunday shootings suffered a further setback yesterday after it emerged that three QCs representing victims and their families had resigned from the case.

A further two lawyers are no longer representing some of the victims, while another barrister has resigned from the legal team advising the tribunal. The resignations seriously jeopardise the prospect of the inquiry reopening on time next month.

The investigation is already well behind schedule after one of the presiding judges, Sir Edward Somers, announced in August that he was stepping down for personal reasons.

A spokeswoman for the inquiry said that it had asked for explanations, but denied that it was seeking a public hearing to call the lawyers to account. Four of those involved are instructed by Belfast solicitors Madden & Finucane, which represents most of the victims and their families.