MPS AND PEERS CALL FOR RELEASE OF OMAGH TAPES
MPs and peers call for release of Omagh tapes
BY ALAN MURRAY
Over 60 MPs and members of the House of Lords have now signed a letter demanding the release of the 'Omagh tapes' to the families of those killed in the explosion.
The secret tapes recorded by the Government's listening station GCHQ in Cheltenham are now at the centre of the riddle of why the intelligence services on both sides of the border didn't prevent the 1998 Real IRA atrocity in which 29 civilians and unborn twins died.
The existence of recorded conversations between the bombers on their way to Omagh and a confirmation that the bomb had been left in position was revealed by Panorama a fortnight ago.
Former senior RUC Special Branch and CID officers say they first learned of the tapes when they were briefed by BBC reporter John Ware before the programme was broadcast.
Now a growing band of parliamentarians is calling on the PM to release the tapes immediately to the families who are pursuing a civil case for damages against five republicans in the High Court in Belfast.
Solicitors for the families and the defendants are now preparing subpoenas to have the tapes brought to court. Government lawyers are expected to use the Official Secrets Act to block the move.
Among the MPs who have signed the letter are the former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy, Belfast-born Labour MP Kate Hoey and the Conservative MP for Monmouth David Davies who is a member of the Commons Home Affairs Committee.
BY ALAN MURRAY
Over 60 MPs and members of the House of Lords have now signed a letter demanding the release of the 'Omagh tapes' to the families of those killed in the explosion.
The secret tapes recorded by the Government's listening station GCHQ in Cheltenham are now at the centre of the riddle of why the intelligence services on both sides of the border didn't prevent the 1998 Real IRA atrocity in which 29 civilians and unborn twins died.
The existence of recorded conversations between the bombers on their way to Omagh and a confirmation that the bomb had been left in position was revealed by Panorama a fortnight ago.
Former senior RUC Special Branch and CID officers say they first learned of the tapes when they were briefed by BBC reporter John Ware before the programme was broadcast.
Now a growing band of parliamentarians is calling on the PM to release the tapes immediately to the families who are pursuing a civil case for damages against five republicans in the High Court in Belfast.
Solicitors for the families and the defendants are now preparing subpoenas to have the tapes brought to court. Government lawyers are expected to use the Official Secrets Act to block the move.
Among the MPs who have signed the letter are the former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy, Belfast-born Labour MP Kate Hoey and the Conservative MP for Monmouth David Davies who is a member of the Commons Home Affairs Committee.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1117
Published Date: 29-Sep-08
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