Inquiry wants £12k from Paisley

Mr Paisley claims the NI Prison Service destroyed files

The Billy Wright Inquiry wants Ian Paisley Jnr to pay legal costs of £12,000 after he unsuccessfully challenged one of its rulings.

Earlier in April, a judge ruled that Mr Paisley did not have the right to protect the identity of a source.

The source allegedly told him about the destruction of prison service files relating to Wright's murder.

At the High Court in Belfast on Friday, Mr Justice Gillen reserved judgement on the costs issue.

John Larkin QC, for the Inquiry, said he had been told to ask for a fixed sum towards his client's costs.

Although Mr Larkin did not disclose the scale of his client's legal bill, he confirmed it was heavily in excess of the contribution being sought.

Confidentiality

Sources close to the case have indicated it could be up to five times as much.

Joseph Aiken, appearing for Mr Paisley, argued that no order for costs should be made.

Mr Aiken pointed out the case involved the first court examination of the relevant section of the Inquiries Act, with major public interest issues raised over an elected representative's rights of confidentiality.

He added that Mr Paisley only "failed at the final hurdle" of the judge's balancing exercise.

The judge's decision is expected within seven days.