NI: Ballymurphy families walk out of meeting over legacy inquest funding dispute

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire

The families of those killed in the Ballymurphy Massacre walked out of a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire after failing to reach agreement on funding for legacy inquests.

Relatives of the ten people killed in Belfast between 9-11 August 1971 met with Mr Brokenshire yesterday.

According to one relative, John Teggart, Mr Brokenshire refused to answer questions related to funding for legacy inquests.

Mr Teggart told BBC News after the meeting: “We had asked about funds for the legacy inquest, but he refused to answer.

“We asked him to release funds out of the £150 million set aside by the British government to deal with the legacy of the past.

“He refused to answer questions on that. He batted it back and put it back to the Executive.

“We walked out because he was going around in circles and refused to answer questions.”

He added: “It is not just the Ballymurphy families. It is ourselves, Kingsmills, the RUC widows - All our hurt is the same.

“We are campaigning for the same thing. It is up to the British Government to release the funds.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “I do believe there is a huge responsibility on the British government to stop using the delays of others on the issue. They should fund those inquests as requested by the Lord Chief Justice.

“This is a big issue, these people have waited for 45 years and I think it is only right that the British government take up their responsibility.”

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