PM apologises for Ballymurphy events in 1971
Last updated 12th May 2021
The Prime Minister has apologised unreservedly on behalf of the UK Government for the events that took place in Ballymurphy.
On Wednesday, a coroner ruled that the 10 people killed in Ballymurphy nearly 50 years ago were "entirely innocent''.
Boris Johnson spoke to the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, this afternoon.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, this afternoon.
"He said the conclusions of the Ballymurphy Inquest, published yesterday, were deeply sad and that the events of August 1971 were tragic.
"The Prime Minister apologised unreservedly on behalf of the UK Government for the events that took place in Ballymurphy and the huge anguish that the lengthy pursuit of truth has caused the families of those killed.
"The Prime Minister restated the Government's intention to deliver a way forward in Northern Ireland that focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims of the Troubles and ends the cycle of reinvestigations.
"He stressed the importance of working hard to keep the gains made through the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and of all parties doing their utmost to help the victims' families find out what happened to their loved ones, so that future generations are not burdened by the past.
"The Prime Minister also congratulated the First Minister and deputy First Minister on Northern Ireland's progress in rolling out coronavirus vaccinations. He extended an invitation for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to join a meeting to discuss Covid recovery.''
John Teggart, son of one of the 10 killed at Ballymurphy, has said the Prime Minister's apology was not a public apology.
He said it is an "insult to the families'' that Boris Johnson's apology came in a conversation with others.
"The apology was to third parties, it wasn't to the Ballymurphy families,'' he told the BBC.
"It's not a public apology ... what kind of insult is it to families that he couldn't have the conversation with ourselves. His office couldn't come and speak to the families of what he was doing.
That's not acceptable to the families and never will be.
"This is not an apology to us.''
Families of people who were killed at Ballymurphy arrive the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Belfast
A poignant backdrop for Tuesday's press conference at the Corpus Christi youth club in Belfast.
People from Ballymurphy bang lids on the ground as a cavalcade of cars pass through Ballymurphy, thanking the community for its support over the past 50 years.
Neighbours and families of the 10 victims of the Ballymurphy killings gather on the Whiterock Road of the greater Ballymurphy area
John Teggart and Breige Voyle representing the families of the 10 victims of the Ballymurphy killings release white doves in the greater Ballymurphy area in west Belfast to thank the community for their support.
Read More:
Apology from UK Government 'bare minimum' needed, says Michelle O'Neill
Ballymurphy Inquest: Calls for UK Government to apologise
Reaction after coroner rules Ballymurphy victims were innocent
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