Contempt ruling looms for Paisley

Ian Paisley had other pressing duties, the inquiry heard

Ian Paisley has been warned that he will be reported for contempt of court if he ignores an order to appear before the Bloody Sunday Inquiry on Wednesday.

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland was due to attend the inquiry 24 hours earlier, but sent a legal representative instead.

Mr Paisley met his legal advisers late into Tuesday night to discuss what he should do.

The Saville Inquiry, sitting in Derry, is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British army soldiers during a civil rights march in the city. A 14th person died later.

The tribunal wants to hear why a counter-demonstration by the Democratic Unionist Association was called off on the eve of the civil rights march.

Lord Saville warned MP could be held in contempt

Lord Saville warned a solicitor appearing for Mr Paisley on Tuesday he would inform the High Court if the DUP leader failed to appear the following day.

The solicitor, John McBurney, cited "parliamentary duties" for the non-appearance of his client.

But Lord Saville told Mr McBurney: "We have come to the conclusion that we will certify Dr Paisley for contempt if he does not appear here by 9.30 tomorrow morning."

DUP assembly member Ian Paisley Junior said his father was only told last Monday he would appear at the tribunal and it was far too short notice for him to attend.

He said his father "had far more pressing and credible parliamentary duties to attend to".

He said the North Antrim MP had already given material to the tribunal.

Christopher Clarke QC, counsel to the tribunal, confirmed that, following correspondence last week, the MP's solicitors had advised he would be unable to travel to Londonderry on Tuesday because of parliamentary business.

Events

Mr Clarke said last week that it had not been easy to secure Mr Paisley's attendance.

He revealed that Mr Paisley had recently been served with a summons.

Lord Saville of Newdigate and the commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago.

They are not expected to report back until 2004.

The Bloody Sunday inquiry was established in 1998 by Prime Minister Tony Blair after a campaign by families of those killed and injured.

They felt that the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings, did not find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday.