McGuinness 'was armed' claim

Mr McGuiness denied he was armed

The Saville Inquiry has received an intelligence document claiming that Martin McGuinness was armed with a machine gun on Bloody Sunday.

In the paper, an unknown source claims that he saw Sinn Fein's Mr McGuinness with a Thompson sub-machine gun under his coat.

The inquiry, currently sitting in London, is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by soldiers during a civil rights march in Derry. Another man died later from his injuries.

However in a statement, Mr McGuinness told the tribunal that he was on the march on Bloody Sunday, but was not armed.

Meanwhile, the inquiry has refused to set a deadline for more IRA witnesses to make statements.

A barrister representing most of the soldiers asked the tribunal to rule that if former IRA members are to come forward, they must do so by the end of next month.

Tribunal Chairman Lord Saville said that while statements must be received quickly it would not be helpful to set an arbitrary deadline.

The tribunal is sitting at Central Hall in London for about six weeks before returning to the Guildhall in Derry as it enters its final stages.

It has been hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.

Lord Saville of Newdigate has already heard evidence from more than 800 witnesses, including the prime minister in 1972, Sir Edward Heath.

Lord Saville 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 next year.