Owen Paterson: The Bloody Sunday Inquiry should report "as soon as possible"

Earlier in the week, it was being reported in the Telegraph that the Savile Inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972 would finally publish its conclusions before Christmas.

But today it has emerged that it will not be published until March 22nd next year, twelve years after it opened. Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward gave his reaction to the news on the Today Programme this morning and even he was forced to wonder: "Is there a better way that we might have done this?"

Now his shadow, Owen Paterson, has released the following statement:

"This inquiry has cost nearly £200million and it last took evidence in 2005. It is quite wrong for the families and soldiers involved that it should be delayed again. March 22nd is an absurd date to publish the report as it will either be in the run-up to a General Election or during the campaign period itself. This report should be published as soon as possible so that Northern Ireland can move on."

Jonathan Isaby