SDLP calls for release of files to assist investigation into historical cases | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

SDLP calls for release of files to assist investigation into historical cases

SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has joined party colleague Dolores Kelly in calling for the British Ministry of Defence to provide answers as to why certain files that might assist investigations into historical cases have not been released under the 30-year rule.

Speaking from Westminster to Newry Times, Ritchie stated, “There is a clear obligation under the 1958 Public Records Act for the UK Government to assess and release military files to the National Archive.

“Media reports that over 60,000 files, including many relating to the past in Northern Ireland, have been repressed and stored at a facility in Swadlicote are deeply concerning. I have tabled a series of Parliamentary questions on this matter and will be pushing the British government to provide answers.

“They have a commitment under their own legislation and their responsibility to bring justice to victims in Northern Ireland to ensure that any files that should be released are released. There is a very high chance that many of these files would assist in inquires and investigations into historical cases in the north.

Ritchie added, “That they are sitting gathering dust in a privately administered storage facility is nothing short of scandalous.

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=35579

Posted by on Oct 21 2013. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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