Politicians react to Saville findings
Nationalist politicians have welcomed the Prime Minister’s apology for Bloody Sunday following the publication of Lord Saville’s report, but Unionists say the findings should be put into the overall context of the Troubles.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey
“Clearly and rightly the onus will always be on Ministers of the Crown to account for the actions of the military, and David Cameron has shouldered that responsibility.
“However, while some families may have had a degree of closure, very many others have not been so fortunate.
“In the days before Bloody Sunday, two RUC officers were shot dead in the Creggan area of the city. Their families have not received justice. Nobody has apologised to their families for their murders, despite the IRA having claimed responsibility for their killings.
“It unfortunately appears that some deaths are regarded as more significant than others. This is no way to build a shared future.”
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
“Saville has put the lies of Widgery into the dustbin of history and with it the cover-up which was authorized of the highest levels within the British Establishment and lasted for almost four decades.
“Sinn Féin will continue to support the Bloody Sunday families in the time ahead.”
Justice Minister David Ford
“The report is an opportunity to put truth on the record and I will study it carefully. It is important that we take time to consider its findings.
“The report will once again raise questions on how Northern Ireland deals with its past and how as a society we can move forward.
“These are issues for the Northern Ireland Office, the Executive and the wider community as a whole to consider and I will ensure that the Department of Justice plays its role in contributing to the promotion of reconciliation and of a shared future.”
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin
“Today, a great wrong has been corrected and the families have rightly proclaimed the innocence of their loved ones.
“While we will need to examine the full detail of the report, its principal findings and today’s statement from Prime Minister Cameron, including a clearly stated apology, together underline that we have all turned an important page.”
Irish President Mary McAleese
“I fervently hope that, by its publication, the Saville Report will provide, at long last, the consolation that the world now knows the awful truth about Bloody Sunday.
“I thank Lord Saville, his colleagues and team for their work and commitment over the last 12 years. I also wish to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Blair and the late Secretary of State Mowlam for the decision to establish the Inquiry.”
U.S. Consulate Peter McKittrick
“The United States welcomes the publication of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry report and acknowledges the work of those who have contributed to this very important process, including all those who testified.
“It is our hope that the scale of the inquiry, the quantity of material available, and its findings will contribute to greater understanding and reconciliation of what happened on that tragic day.
“We recognize the deep and enduring pain of those who lost loved ones on Bloody Sunday and throughout Northern Ireland’s conflict in all communities.
“The United States will continue to stand by those who are working toward building a peaceful and pluralistic society.
“We hope that the completion of the independent inquiry’s work and publication of its report will contribute to Northern Ireland’s ongoing transformation from a turbulent past to a peaceful future.”
NI Human Rights Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams
“The Commission will consider the report in detail and monitor the response of Government in upholding its human rights duties.
“In particular we will draw Governments attention to the high standards of accountability and redress required when representatives of the state have violated human rights.”
