A soldier was told permission was sought from the Prime Minister to enter the IRA-controlled no-go areas of Derry on Bloody Sunday, he claimed today.
Soldier INQ 1581 said paratroopers were determined to break the no-go areas on the day 13 civil rights marchers were shot dead by troops. A 14th man diedlater.
The soldier, who drove an armoured vehicle on January 30, 1972, told the Saville Inquiry in London that troops waited for the go-ahead from "up the chain of command" to enter the area.
"One thing I do remember is there being a general feeling that everyone wanted to go into the no-go areas of the Bogside to break them," he said.
"I remember someone saying 'we've had to seek permission from the PM', which I assumed meant the UK Prime Minister.As we did not end up going into the no-go area, I presume no permission was ever received," he said.
Soldier INQ 1581 said he could not remember who said that the Prime Minister at the time, Edward Heath, was asked for permission, but he insisted he took theclaim seriously.
Soldier INQ 1581 said he heard incoming fire after he stopped his vehicle close to the Rossville Flats.
"I remember hearing a soldier say 'there's a gunman in the flats, there's a sniper up there' or words to that effect," he said. "I also remember actually hearing two cracks which sounded like two rifle shots.
"I sensed that the shots had come from one of the flats which overlooked Rossville Street, perhaps three, four or five storeys up," he added.
Soldier INQ 1581 was the 737th witness to appear before the Saville Inquiry. The inquiry, which usually sits at the Guildhall in Derry, is hearing the evidence of military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.
Lord Saville of Newdigate and the Commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago and are not expected to report back until 2004.