Hume tells Inquiry to find out who controlled troops

John Hume has told the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that it should concentrate on whether the then Unionist-dominated Stormont Government was in charge of the British Army on the day 14 people were shot dead.

Former SDLP leader, Hume, said Bloody Sunday was the worst day in the history of his hometown and a major recruiting agent for the IRA.

Hume spoke of turning down an opportunity to speak on what became Bloody Sunday, and how he encouraged others to stay away, fearing the British Army would open fire on demonstrators.

The weekend before he had led a march against internment on Magilligan Strand near Derry and witnessed as soldier "beat, brutalised and terrorised" marchers.

He also heard the first shots ring out from his home.

Hume visited the wounded in hospital and broke bad news to distraught relatives of the dead.