The British government, military and sections of the media were involved in a murder cover-up on Bloody Sunday and repeatedly thereafter, the former Westminster MP, Ms Bernadette Devlin, told the Saville Inquiry today.
Ms Devlin (54) - now Mrs McAliskey - narrowly escaped the gunfire on that day according to evidence already heard by the inquiry.
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She began by emphasising her hazy recollection of events, as Counsel to the inquiry, Mr Christopher Clarke QC, started taking her through her written statements.
In her deposition she said: "It is, on the basis of personal experience, my honest belief that at the highest level of British government, military and significant sections of the media acquiesced, conspired, organised and/or participated in, and covered up terror and murder for political gain on 30 January 1972 and repeatedly thereafter.
"It is also my belief, without prejudice to the individual integrity of those currently conducting and participating in this inquiry that no inquiry established, funded and controlled by such a powerful, vindictive, deceitful, ruthless and experienced perpetrator of terror as the British State can reasonably be expected to bring in an honourable verdict of 'guilty as charged' against that State."
She had earlier said in statements that she did not know Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness, either by name or in person, at the time of Bloody Sunday.
Ms Devlin also claimed to have had no personal knowledge of any arrangements made with the IRA to stay away from the demonstration.
She added: "I had no reason to consider the matter or ask the question 'Where will the IRA be?' or 'Where will the IRA's weapons be while we are marching?'"
PA