Appeal for reluctant witnesses to come forward

Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday and the surviving casualties of the day later stepped into the wranglings about IRA activity with a public appeal for all reluctant witnesses to come forward immediately.

They were ‘‘saddened’’ that some were resisting the approaches of the Inquiry and maintained they wanted the whole truth ‘‘even its unpalatable aspects’’, said Arthur Harvey QC, speaking for all the next-of-kin of the dead and those injured that day.

He also disclosed that they were to put forward proposals to the Inquiry team over the weekend aimed at breaking the deadlock and eliciting evidence from those who have so far refused to co-operate.

Mr Harvey said: ‘‘Our and by our clients I refer to all of the 27 families represented by this Inquiry urge anyone, whoever has anything to contribute to come forward and do so now and, indeed, are deeply saddened that some individuals have not done so.’’

The relatives’ lawyers met over lunch and believed there were ‘‘genuine, positive steps’’ which could be taken in conjunction with the Inquiry to assist, he said.

He added: ‘‘I genuinely believe that there is a deep-seated commitment of these families, which has to be brought home and brought to bear on those who are reluctant, for whatever reason, to come forward, which they must realise, they must acknowledge as this Tribunal stated the only vindication of what occurred in relation to these families must be the whole truth, even its unpalatable aspects.’’

Mr Harvey asked the Tribunal to defer the question of Mr Harley’s position until Monday ‘‘and that the representatives of the families have an opportunity to discuss with the representatives of this tribunal its counsel and its solicitors, methods which we believe will result in a positive action by those persons who have not come forward’’.

Lord Saville adjourned the submissions until 3pm on Monday.