Omagh bombing inquiry seeks secret 15-year-old transcript from archive
Omagh Bombing Inquiry solicitor Tim Suter has asked for information about an allegation 'that police investigators into previous attacks in Moira, Portadown, Banbridge and Lisburn did not have access to intelligence materials which may have reasonably enabled them to disrupt the activities of dissident republican terrorists' in the Co Tyrone town.
Advertisement
The allegation is thought to have been made during a private session of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee almost 16 years ago, on November 11th, 2009.
Conservative MP Simon Hoare warned there was 'no wriggle room' in the UK parliament's rules to hand over the information to the inquiry without MPs' say-so, because it previously went 'unreported'.
Commons committees can refrain from reporting evidence in certain circumstances, for example, if it contains information which is prejudicial to the public interest.
British MPs tasked the Commons Privileges Committee with looking at the 2009 transcript.
Advertisement
This seven-member group has until October 30th to decide whether to report and publish the evidence, which was originally given to the House by former senior police officer Norman Baxter.
'It is very hard for the House to decide whether or not to release evidence it has not seen and cannot see before the decision is made,' Mr Hoare warned.
'It is particularly difficult in this case, as that evidence may contain sensitive information.'
The North Dorset MP added that the Privileges Committee 'might simply decide to publish it'.
Advertisement
Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry Lord Turnbull (PA)
But the agreed motion will give the committee power to make an alternative recommendation 'on the desirability or otherwise of the release of the evidence to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry'.
Privileges Committee chairman Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, told MPs that his organisation 'stands ready to deal with this matter'.
Ireland
UK government has 'plain duty' to assist Omagh inq...
Read More
The independent inquiry chaired by Lord Turnbull will consider whether the Omagh bombing 'could reasonably have been prevented by UK state authorities'.
The dissident republican bomb exploded in the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
Advertisement
Mr Hoare agreed with DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon, who was born in Omagh, after he told the Commons that 'justice' should be at the 'forefront of all right honourable and honourable members' minds during this process'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Loose Women's Charlene White interrupts Kelly Brook as TV debate gets awkward
During a debate on the news that the voting age has been lowered, Loose Women anchor Charlene White was called out by viewers for interrupting Kelly Brook. Charlene White was seen interrupting Kelly Brook during a fiery political debate on today's episode of ITV's Loose Women. The newsreader was in her usual slot as the programme's anchor on Thursday's edition of the ITV lunchtime chat show when she and her co-stars discussed the news that 16 and 17-year-olds will now be able to vote. When Kelly's turn came to speak, she tried to argue that there is "more information" now than the days when perhaps children would have simply copied their parents, even though there is "a lot of misinformation" around as well. The model tried to argue that a person's voting stance can change throughout their life, depending upon their own experiences. She suggested that some people may be more affected by the care system, for example, or may be running a business when they reach adulthood, so the way they vote could be different to how they would have done as a teenager. Charlene continually shouted "Kel, Kel, Kel, so what I'm saying is," over the top of her. Ultimately Charlene also argued that voting needs may change as one gets older, and Kelly concurred, but then quickly added: "So that's why 18-year-olds shouldn't be voting." Kelly then tried to ask if the move was "so important" why it hasn't come about before, but again, Charlene interrupted her again to bring fellow panellist Linda Robson into the conversation. The Birds of a Feather actress simply noted that she had "never been interested" in politics but would encourage her grandchildren to think differently, whilst Nadia Sawalha claimed that the move may help the country "inch towards a democracy" as time goes on. But Charlene's interruption of Kelly did not go unnoticed, and viewers took to social media to vent their frustration. One wrote: "its all kicking off on #loosewomen i'm sure all its 5 viewers are enjoying kelly brook's rant", and another championed Kelly as they wrote: "Go on kelly brook let her finish Charlene". Another viewer complained that Charlene had been "too loud" in the moment and ordered her to "shut up", but another claimed that Kelly had been "way out of her depth" with the comments. Under existing rules 16 and 17-year-olds are already able to cast a ballot in both local and devolved and local elections in Scotland and Wales - but not in England and Northern Ireland. The age of voting at a general election currently stands at 18 for all four corners of the UK. It is among a string of changes that also includes closing loopholes on foreign donations to political parties through shell companies. There will be more severe fines of up to £500,000 for those who breach the rules. UK-issued bank cards will also become an acceptable form of ID at polling stations. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also said "far too many people are being deterred from voting" due to controversial Voter ID rules. Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: "For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline." She said ministers are "taking action to break down barriers to participation". Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali described it as a "generational step forward". It is the first time the voting ages since the 1960s. Harry Quilter-Pinner, director of think-tank the IPPR, said: "Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy. The government has clearly heard these alarm bells. The policies announced today represent the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969, more than 50 years. " And he continued: "At a time when public trust in politics is at a low ebb, this expansion of our democracy is a vital step toward rebuilding confidence, modernising our institutions, and pushing back against the rise of populism." Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns said: 'On this one, Labour have got it right. Giving 16- and 17-year-olds the vote is a long-overdue step towards a stronger, more inclusive democracy. Young people have powerful voices and a vital stake in decisions about their future — it's only right that they have a say at the ballot box." But she called on the Government to go further by scrapping the House of Lords and bringing in proportional voting - a system that would benefit smaller parties.
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Attempted murder charge after man found slashed in Preston
A man has been charged with attempted murder after another man was found in a street with slash 40-year-old victim was found with "serious laceration injuries" on New Hall Lane in Preston, just after midnight on Monday and remains in hospital in a stable condition, Lancashire Police Gogalea, 21, of Wilbraham Street, Preston, appeared at the city's magistrates' court earlier and was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on 14 Anitescu, 46, and Marian Anitescu, 52, both of Wilbraham Street, have been charged with assisting an offender. 'Targeted attack' Three men, aged 24, 26 and 45, have been released under investigation, police further people – a 37-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and are still in Insp Steve Monk said it appeared to be "a targeted attack".He appealed for anyone who was in the area of Tunbridge Street, New Hall Lane and Arnhem Road at the time, who may have seen "a group of three or four males in dark clothing" or who have CCTV footage to contact police. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Join the army, work full-time … and now vote: what 16-year-olds can do in the UK
Turning 16 opens up a whole suite of exciting new freedoms. Now, those celebrating their baby steps into adulthood in the UK have another thrilling task for their to-do lists: heading to the voting booth. Thursday marked one of the largest changes to the country's democratic system in recent times after Labour announced the voting age would be lowered to 16 before the next general election. Scotland and Wales have already made the change for Holyrood and Senedd elections, as well as local council elections, but the move means 16-year-olds will have a say over who becomes prime minister for the first time. For some, the change has been a long time coming, especially considering what 16-year-olds can already legally do: Those aged 16 and 17 can join the British army as a junior soldier, where they will learn survival skills including handling and firing weapons. They earn above minimum wage for their age group, with monthly pay starting between £1,500 and £1,800. Accommodation and other bills are paid for. For some people, ringing in the 16th year is accompanied with bottles of suspiciously cheap booze and a raging house party. However, for those who want to stay out of trouble but still fancy a tipple, a pub under the watchful eye of an adult may be the best setup. It is against the law to buy alcohol or drink it in licensed premises alone but, if you are 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal. The drink must be bought by someone over 18. Although unable to buy it, 16- and 17-year-olds can legally serve alcohol in a restaurant. The late teens are often a time when youngsters make impulsive decisions they later regret. Ill-fated tattoos, questionable fashion choices and horrible music tastes all fit the bill, but some changes are harder to reverse. Sixteen-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can legally change their names. All it takes is a dare gone wrong or a deluded belief that a nickname will still sound cool at 50 to take the plunge. Youngsters in Scotland have to wait until they turn 18 for the privilege. The days of stretching out lunch money or hoarding birthday cash to buy a pair of new trainers are gone. At 16 you can work most full-time jobs. You can also open a bank account on your own, meaning you can keep your parents' noses out of your financial affairs. Don't disregard their advice altogether, however. They're right sometimes.
