British spin on Cory dismissed

Speculation that four reports on collusion by the British forces in murders in the North of Ireland will be published on April 1st has been described as a premature April Fool's Day joke.

It was reported that the families of the victims would be given a copy of the relevant report by Canadian judge Cory 24 hours earlier, on March 31st, on the condition that they sign a secrecy agreement for 24 hours.

The reports were expected to be censored or `edited'.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said the British government had come under sustained pressure, including legal pressure, to publish the Cory Report from the Finucane family and Sinn Féin among others and from influential US politicians.

``It is no surprise that there is now speculation that the report will be published on April 1st.

``Despite speculation that the report will be published on April Fools Day no-one should be fooled.

``The British government have not given any commitment to publish the report in full. Anything less than the full report is unacceptable.

``It is more important for the British government to act on the recommendations of the Cory Report. We already know that Peter Cory has recommended inquiries in a number of the cases he investigated. The challenge now for the British government is to act on the commitments it gave following the Weston Park talks in 2001 and initiate these inquires into collusion.''

Urgent Appeal