BLOODY SUNDAY INQUIRY: The cost of the judicial inquiry into Bloody Sunday in 1972 could rise to £155 million, the Leader in the House of Lords, Lord Williams of Mostyn, disclosed yesterday.
But he resisted Tory pressure to halt the long-running investigation by Lord Saville of Newdigate into the role of Parachute Regiment members in the shooting of 13 civilians.
Lord Williams told peers: "The inquiry has indicated that, on current plans, it expects to report during 2004." It started in 1998.
"Up to the end of October 2002, the total cost of the inquiry to the Government was £93 million. It is estimated that the final cost will be £155 million, subject to the outcome of the judicial reviews of decisions on lawyers' fees."
A former Tory minister, Lord Peyton of Yeovil, commented: "I pause to get my breath back. I was flabbergasted by your figures."
He said of the inquiry: "This has come to look more like a trial every day, with the army - already under very considerable pressures at this time - in the dock.
"I do rather wonder if the time hasn't come when the chairman would be better employed performing his duties in this House."
Lord Williams replied: "It was a long time ago but the allegations are of the utmost gravity. Whether the allegations are true or not ought to be determined.
"For my part, whatever the expense, whatever the consequences, I believe the Prime Minister was right" to reopen the inquiry.