Saville: Army agent will be screened

A former Army intelligence officer who claims he saw documents which show Martin McGuinness did not open fire on Bloody Sunday is to be screened while giving evidence to the Saville Inquiry.

Lord Saville ruled today that the ex-soldier, known by the pseudonym Martin Ingram, can use his codename and give evidence from behind a screen to maintain his anonymity.

In reaching their decision, the tribunal said it took account of the potential threat to his safety and rights under Article 2 of the European Convention, which safeguards the right to life.

Ingram has claimed he saw intelligence reports which showed Mr McGuinness was under surveillance but was not seen using a gun on January 30, 1972 when 13 civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers in Derry. A 14th man died later.

His evidence contradicts allegations made by an IRA informant codenamed Infliction, who claimed the Sinn Fein MP told him he fired the first shot on Bloody Sunday.

The former agent, who is due to enter the witness box on May 12, also said he doubted the accuracy of Infliction’s allegations against Mr McGuinness.

Mr McGuinness, who has admitted to being the IRA’s second-in-command in Derry, has denied he fired any shots on Bloody Sunday.

Lawyers acting for the families of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday said they should be able to question the former agent freely during his testimony.

However, the tribunal today ruled in favour of Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon who called on the Saville Inquiry to ensure Ingram is not questioned about any secret intelligence matters.

The tribunal ruled that all interested parties should submit a detailed synopsis of the matters on which they wish to question Ingram, including their reasons and the supporting facts.

It said it would then consider each synopsis and, if relevant, give Mr Ingram and the Defence Secretary an opportunity to object on human rights or public interest immunity grounds.

Meanwhile, the tribunal also granted anonymity to a number of other intelligence officers who are due to appear before the inquiry at Methodist Central Hall in central London next month.

The inquiry is currently hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.