The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made a significant u-turn on his comments questioning the usefulness of the Bloody Sunday tribunal.
In a statement last night, Mr Hugh Orde retreated from his earlier comments. He said it was important to establish the truth of what happened on Bloody Sunday and it wasn't his intention to cast doubts on the legitimacy of the inquiry.
"Society has a responsibility to find out what has happened in historical cases but we must also meet the needs of the present. There are a growing number of calls for investigations into historical cases.
"What I was saying is that perhaps now is the time to look again at how we go about establishing the truth and meeting the needs of victims and their families," he said.
The Chief Constable had told yesterday's Financial Times the inquiry was a waste of money and society needed to draw a line under its history.
"Apart from making lawyers' millionaires, will it satisfy the families? I don't think so," he had said. He added the inquiry costs would pay for two police colleges. Established in 1998 by Mr Blair, it is estimated the inquiry could cost up to £2 million.
It is due to resume in London next week.
Relatives of some of the people shot dead by British soldiers in Derry in January 1972 have demanded an apology following his comments.
Mr Mickey McKinney (51), whose brother William was killed, said: "Once this tribunal begins getting at the truth - and I think it is getting at some of it - the only battering ram the critics have is the costs.
"I'm astonished he should make those remarks. He obviously doesn't understand the relatives' feelings and how much it matters to them in determining the truth and our request for a declaration of innocence for all our people".
Mr John Kelly (54), whose brother Michael also died, said he was furious with the Chief Constable. "The costs for the search for justice and truth should be immaterial. Does this mean that every time a case comes before the courts, it is a waste of time and money?
"Has Hugh Orde joined the unionists who are the only people who criticise this inquiry? I think he owes us an apology," Mr Kelly.