General 'told to stop talking about Bloody Sunday'

The British army’s most senior surviving member from the Bloody Sunday operation was told to stop discussing the event just 24 hours after the shootings, an inquiry heard today.

General Robert Ford, who was present as an observer during the 1972 Derry civil rights march, said he had been “disturbed” by the tragic events which unfolded.

But the General refused to comment, at the Bloody Sunday inquiry sitting in London, on a suggestion that something had gone “drastically wrong” during the operation.

Thirteen unarmed men were killed on January 30, 1972, during the march.

General Ford, being questioned by Arthur Harvey QC, said: ``On the Tuesday (following the shootings on the Sunday) I was not in any way concerned, at that time, with what happened on Bloody Sunday.''

The General said he was instead told to face the problems that were now going to be caused as a result of the shootings.

Asked about his initial feelings on learning the extent of casualties, he said: “Everyone was very disturbed indeed. We wanted to find out the truth. My staff worked through the night.

“On Monday, I was told to stop discussing it and not mention it or interrogate or question any staff.”

"I am sure I was extremely disturbed and it was obvious to me that there had to be a full inquiry to find out what had gone wrong.''

Pressed further on that answer, the General was asked whether that meant he believed something had gone wrong with the operation.

He replied: “I am not certain. But I did have very many worrying nights during my term in Northern Ireland... A lot of occasions, some of which became more important than Bloody Sunday.

“I cannot say. Obviously, I was worried, but it is very difficult to go beyond that.”

Pressed further by Mr Harvey, who said that something went “drastically wrong”, the General replied: “I cannot remember... I cannot remember.”