OMAGH FAMILIES MEET WITH PM OVER BBC CLAIMS
Omagh families meet with PM over BBC claims
A number of Omagh bomb victims' families were due to meet with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at 10 Downing Street yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
The families were meeting Mr Brown to discuss the recent BBC Panorama programme highlighting alleged controversial intelligence failings in the run-up to the 1998 Omagh atrocity and the landmark historic lawsuit against the alleged Omagh bombers, which is currently entering its final stage in Belfast.
A review of the intelligence gathered before the bomb was published last month on the back of the Panorama documentary.
The report, headed by Intelligence Service commissioner, Sir Peter Gibson, rejected the allegations made. It said the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), which was monitoring mobile phone conversations of the alleged bombers immediately before the explosion, were "promptly and fully" passed to both RUC and Special Branch.
Omagh family members are also preparing a presentation to the Northern Ireland Select Affairs Committee regarding the case for an independent cross-border enquiry into the Omagh bomb investigation. This is due to take place in March.
The families involved said they appreciate the "continued support on this humanitarian issue".
Chair of Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, said the families will be looking for answers that they believe Sir Peter's report did not address.
"We will really be telling him that we're very disappointed by the report by Sir Peter Gibson as it hasn't really addressed the key questions that the Panorama programme was alluding to, that was the fact key intelligence wasn't passed on to the senior officers at the earliest opportunity.
"We have seen in the past a whole variety of similar inquiries in the Republic and Northern Ireland and only left more questions unanswered and we feel that the way forward is a full, cross-border, public inquiry to publicly examine all the aspects of the Omagh bomb investigations."
Mr Gallagher also confirmed the current civil action against alleged Omagh bombers will be discussed with Mr Brown.
"It will of course. We will be thanking the government for the financial support, but also asking them about the intelligence from GCHQ."
Mr Gallagher said although the Sir Peter's report was commissioned by the Prime Minister, Omagh families are not aware of Mr Brown's own personal opinion.
"We have no notion whatsoever. He did commission the report, but we have no indication whatsoever," he confirmed.
PSNI chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, will also be present at Downing Street, and a number of families will travel from Omagh, as well as Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the bomb, who will travel to London from Surrey.
A number of Omagh bomb victims' families were due to meet with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at 10 Downing Street yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
The families were meeting Mr Brown to discuss the recent BBC Panorama programme highlighting alleged controversial intelligence failings in the run-up to the 1998 Omagh atrocity and the landmark historic lawsuit against the alleged Omagh bombers, which is currently entering its final stage in Belfast.
A review of the intelligence gathered before the bomb was published last month on the back of the Panorama documentary.
The report, headed by Intelligence Service commissioner, Sir Peter Gibson, rejected the allegations made. It said the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), which was monitoring mobile phone conversations of the alleged bombers immediately before the explosion, were "promptly and fully" passed to both RUC and Special Branch.
Omagh family members are also preparing a presentation to the Northern Ireland Select Affairs Committee regarding the case for an independent cross-border enquiry into the Omagh bomb investigation. This is due to take place in March.
The families involved said they appreciate the "continued support on this humanitarian issue".
Chair of Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Michael Gallagher, said the families will be looking for answers that they believe Sir Peter's report did not address.
"We will really be telling him that we're very disappointed by the report by Sir Peter Gibson as it hasn't really addressed the key questions that the Panorama programme was alluding to, that was the fact key intelligence wasn't passed on to the senior officers at the earliest opportunity.
"We have seen in the past a whole variety of similar inquiries in the Republic and Northern Ireland and only left more questions unanswered and we feel that the way forward is a full, cross-border, public inquiry to publicly examine all the aspects of the Omagh bomb investigations."
Mr Gallagher also confirmed the current civil action against alleged Omagh bombers will be discussed with Mr Brown.
"It will of course. We will be thanking the government for the financial support, but also asking them about the intelligence from GCHQ."
Mr Gallagher said although the Sir Peter's report was commissioned by the Prime Minister, Omagh families are not aware of Mr Brown's own personal opinion.
"We have no notion whatsoever. He did commission the report, but we have no indication whatsoever," he confirmed.
PSNI chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, will also be present at Downing Street, and a number of families will travel from Omagh, as well as Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the bomb, who will travel to London from Surrey.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1974
Published Date: 12-Feb-09
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