Saville Inquiry hears of missing papers

The family of one of the Bloody Sunday victims has accused the British government of suppressing documents concerning the prime minister in 1972, Sir Edward Heath.

In a written submission, Lord Gifford, representing the family of Jim Wray, wants the Saville Inquiry to call on the British government to appear before the Tribunal next week to address the matter.

Lord Gifford said briefing papers for a meeting Sir Edward had with the then Stormont Prime Minister, Brian Faulkner, a few days before Bloody Sunday were missing.

Papers for a Cabinet meeting, which discussed the plans for the civil rights march on Bloody Sunday are also missing, he said.

Lord Gifford also said the British government was jeopardising the work of the Tribunal by not producing the documents.

The papers are critically important so the Tribunal can assess whether the Bloody Sunday shootings were pre-planned at the highest level in the British establishment.

Sir Edward Heath was due to begin giving evidence tomorrow, but after a fall at the weekend his appearance has been postponed.