Letter: Saville inquiry

Saville inquiry

If Lord Saville of Newdigate's inquiry into the killings in Derry on 30 January 1972 is to have a less implausible outcome than the late Lord Widgery's, he and his colleagues must be given, and be seen to be given, access to all pertinent testimonies. This is a matter in which the British culture of traditional secrecy is inapplicable.

It is reported that official British medical records concerning the persons killed and wounded on Bloody Sunday are being withheld from the public until the year 2047 ("Military accused of lying to 1972 inquiry", 30 January). The bans on publication of the records must be lifted at once, so that quotations may be made in the published report upon the inquiry.

Witnesses will also wish to read them before being summoned to the public hearings. Unless the documents are released for consultation, there is a danger that the objectivity of the inquiry will be called into question before it has even begun.

GEORGE HUXLEY

Trinity College, Dublin

The writer was a Member of the Executive, Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association 1971-72