The FT editorialises extensively on the upcoming Stephens report, and advocates thorough follow through, whilst casting a critical eye on the slow public progress of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry:
It must lead to a searching review of the working practices of the various agencies in using informers and infiltrating clandestine organisations. There will no doubt be claims that there has been a clean-up since these incidents occurred, with the strengthened accountability of MI5 and MI6 and reforms of Northern Ireland’s policing arrangements. But the war against terrorism after September 11 2001 could easily lead to similar practices, with acute pressure to penetrate loosely constituted groups such as al-Qaeda and its sympathisers.
In the short term, there will be demands for a public inquiry. Peter Cory, a Canadian judge, has been appointed by the British and Irish governments to consider whether such an inquiry is needed into the Finucane case and five similar incidents where official collusion is suspected. Northern Ireland’s nationalist community is unlikely to be satisfied with less.
However, the slow, expensive and acrimonious public inquiry into Bloody Sunday does not offer an encouraging precedent. And by focusing on the sins of the British government, it leaves unprobed the murderous actions of republican and loyalist groups whose atrocities have caused great misery and suffering. It is now time to consider whether Northern Ireland needs to replicate the truth and reconciliation commission that helped heal the divisions in post-apartheid South Africa.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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