Direct from No.10: What PM said in Ballymurphy apology call

The News Letter had enquired with No.10 Downing Street exactly what Boris Johnson had said to the First and Deputy First Ministers, after stories began circulating this evening that he had made a private apology to them.

It comes after an inquest ruled on Tuesday that, whilst there had been paramilitary activity in the Ballymurphy area at the time of the bloodbath, the victims were wholly innocent and there had been no justification for killing them.

Ten people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment, and another died of a heart attack.

A Downing Street spokesperson said (message below in full):

“The Prime Minister spoke to the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, this afternoon.

“He said the conclusions of the Ballymurphy Inquest, published yesterday, were deeply sad and that the events of August 1971 were tragic.

“The Prime Minister apologised unreservedly on behalf of the UK Government for the events that took place in Ballymurphy and the huge anguish that the lengthy pursuit of truth has caused the families of those killed.

The Prime Minster restated the Government’s intention to deliver a way forward in Northern Ireland that focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims of the Troubles and ends the cycle of re-investigations.

“He stressed the importance of working hard to keep the gains made through the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and of all parties doing their utmost to help the victims’ families find out what happened to their loved ones, so that future generations are not burdened by the past.

“The Prime Minister also congratulated the First Minister and deputy First Minister on Northern Ireland’s progress in rolling out coronavirus vaccinations. He extended an invitation for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to join a meeting to discuss Covid recovery.”

The News Letter had asked if a public apology is also to be made (like the one David Cameron issued over Bloody Sunday, on the floor of the Commons), and is currently awaiting a reply.

More from this reporter:

Click here: Ballymurphy – ‘Spare us the lecture Sinn Fein – you’ve zero moral authority’

Click here: Ex-veterans minister Johnny Mercer gives explosive evidence about neglect of military welfare body

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor