Journalists 'prepared for jail'

Alex Thomson and Lena Ferguson speak to reporters after hearing

Two journalists who investigated Bloody Sunday have said they are still prepared to go to jail rather than reveal their sources.

Nearly two years ago, Lena Ferguson and Alex Thomson were told by the tribunal they would be reported to the High Court for being in contempt of the tribunal.

Both had refused to name soldiers they had interviewed for Channel 4 news reports.

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

The journalists argued at the time that they had promised the men that they would not reveal their identities.

Alex Thomson, who still works for Channel 4, and Lena Ferguson who now works for the BBC were brought back to the tribunal for further questioning on Monday, but were not asked to reveal the names of the soldiers.

We wanted this cleared up today - we see no reason why that couldn't have happened Alex Thomson Channel 4

Outside the tribunal, they said that while they were prepared to go to jail, they were disappointed they were not told whether or not they were going to be held in contempt of the tribunal.

"What I don't understand about what has happened today is that we are being treated differently from other witnesses to this inquiry who have also withheld information," said Ms Ferguson.

"We have had a threat of contempt hanging over us for two years. We were hoping it would be resolved today and yet Lord Saville has reinforced the fact that the contempt threat is still there, and with it the possibility of a prison sentence.

"We are still prepared to go to jail and we are still prepared to deal with the contempt issue."

Mr Thomson said the issue was not primarily about journalism "but about protecting people".

"People have to have the right to blow the whistle - they have to be protected for their own well-being."

He added: "We wanted this cleared up today - we see no reason why that couldn't have happened."

Inquiry Chairman Lord Saville said he had been actively considering the matter and that they would not have too long to wait for a decision.

If the tribunal takes the matter to the High Court they could ultimately be sent to prison.

Meanwhile, a republican prisoner was released from Maghaberry jail on Monday to give evidence to the inquiry.

Ciaran McLaughlin, who is serving 18 years for possession of weapons, will be taken to the Guildhall by his solicitor, and is due back in prison on Monday night.

He told the tribunal that he was with his friend, Gerald Donaghy, who was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, and that there was no way that Mr Donaghy would have had nailbombs.

Report publication

The inquiry is to continue its sessions at the Guildhall in Londonderry for a number of weeks until all the remaining witnesses have been heard.

When the oral evidence ends, the inquiry will move into the closing stages including submissions and the closing speech by counsel to the inquiry.

These closing stages are likely to last for some months, after which the tribunal will retire to write their report.

Publication of the report will take place towards the end of 2004 at the earliest.

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

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.