War may force general to cancel tribunal appearance

General Sir Michael Jackson, the British Chief of General Staff, may be forced to cancel his appearance at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry because of war in the Gulf, it emerged today.

The then Captain Michael Jackson was adjutant to Colonel Derek Wilford on the day paratroopers under his command shot dead 13 civil rights marchers in Derry. A 14th man died later.

A spokesman for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry confirmed Sir Michael was due to give his evidence on Monday.

“It is a date that was set some time ago. We offered him and his legal team that date and they accepted it,” said the spokesman.

“But because of what is going on in the Gulf he may have to cancel at short notice.”

Sir Michael is one of the key military witnesses due to testify at the Saville Inquiry into the events on January 30, 1972.

His superior officer, Col Derek Wilford who sent paratroopers into the nationalist Bogside area, is currently giving evidence on day 316 of the inquiry at Methodist Central Hall in London.

Sir Michael is currently based in London with an overseeing role in the war effort in Iraq.