FAMILIES of the Bloody Sunday victims will today attend "a working lunch" with the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, in London.
Following a meeting between the families and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in Dublin yesterday, Mr Don Mullan, the author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, said the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, would be unable to have discussions with them today but they would meet Dr Mowlam instead.
They will present 40,000 signatures at No 10 Downing Street, calling for the repudiation of the Widgery Tribunal report and a new independent inquiry. They also plan to lay a wreath at the memorial stone to innocent victims at Westminster Abbey in memory of those shot on Bloody Sunday.
During a meeting with the families lasting almost an hour, Mr Ahern said he would pursue "with vigour and determination" the previous government's assessment of Bloody Sunday, which was handed over to the British government just before the Rainbow coalition left office. Mr Ahern told them he would pursue an appropriate response from the British government to that appraisal.
Mr John Bruton's government had recommended a new independent inquiry into events in Derry on Bloody Sunday, 25 years ago, and cast doubt on the findings of the Widgery Tribunal.
Mr Mullan said last night that Mr Ahern had assured them that he would pursue the issue, within the last government's assessment, until he got satisfaction. The families had the support of the Dail behind them, which was very important in creating a moral pressure to reopen the investigation.
In a letter to Mr Blair seeking a meeting, the families said they would value the opportunity of expressing their hopes that the establishment of the full truth would contribute to his own "peace of mind and lasting peace in Ireland".