Member

I do not want to be seen as taking a Dickensian view of lawyers, but I have to say this as an historical adviser: a lot of the Bloody Sunday inquiry was largely performative, to use the vogue word at present. For example, the papers sent to me showed, beyond any doubt, precisely what Edward Heath’s role was; there was absolutely no question. It showed everything he ever thought or said about the situation in Northern Ireland and in Derry leading up to Bloody Sunday; it is perfectly clear what he thought about it. There was no need for him to be badgered by famous Northern Irish QCs and courts for days and no need for that high drama; it was entirely performative. I am certain that that was not cheap and that it cost money. There is a real problem with our way of carrying out inquiries in general.