Newly released documents from Irish archives reveal stunning criticisms from the top British military officer during the late 1990s concerning the Bloody Sunday Saville Inquiry. General Rupert Smith, who held command over British troops during tumultuous Northern Ireland, labelled the inquiry as nothing more than a "cynical political move" orchestrated by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair's government.
The term Bloody Sunday refers to the tragic events of January 30, 1972, when British paratroopers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a civil rights march in Derry, killing 13 on the spot and leaving the community devastated. Smith's criticisms emerge with the release of thousands of state documents illuminating various political and military perspectives of the time.
According to these documents, Smith expressed his astonishment and agitation during a dinner hosted by Irish officials from the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. At this event, he articulated his strong belief against the inquiry, which he claimed was directed at scapegoatting the military for what had transpired on Bloody Sunday. "This is yet another irresponsible action taken by politicians to shift the blame onto the military," he reportedly said, denouncing the effort to seek accountability and truth through the inquiry.
The original inquiry, led by Lord Widgery, often dismissed as a whitewash, was conducted shortly after the tragic events. That investigation concluded with findings mostly sympathetic to the soldiers involved, concluding they acted appropriately under orders. Remembering this initial inquiry, Smith argued passionately it provided justification of the military actions taken, and to question those results was immature and unwarranted.
Irish officials reacted to Smith's comments with surprise, noting they perceived him as more cerebral than most military leaders—citing his willingness to engage deeply with complex topics, albeit sometimes lacking sensitivity concerning nationalist sentiments. Smith's heated rebuttals of political motives reflected the frustrations shared by many military personnel who felt their actions during the conflict had been unjustly framed.
Notably, General Smith had personal experiences shaping his worldview; he had suffered significant burns from an explosion during his service, which undoubtedly influenced his allegiance to military narratives. Despite the intensity of his critiques, he acknowledged the enormity of Bloody Sunday events and emphasized the need for a thorough resolution, albeit grieving politicians he believed had callously maneuvered for political gain.
Smith's replacement, General Hew Pike, expressed confusion about Northern Ireland's convoluted political scenario, yet also voiced frustrations about the Saville Inquiry. He proclaimed he would oppose any attempts to lift the anonymity of the soldiers involved, reflecting the entrenched views within the British military leadership contingent.
Feedback from Irish officials indicated this perspective wasn't isolated. Comments from Ministry of Defence official Ian Hamill connected to army headquarters blasted the Saville inquiry leader, labeling him as "an expert on Scottish commercial law, who knows little about Ireland," indicating persistent strain over the inquiry processes.
The culmination of the Saville Inquiry led to scathing findings against the British troops, asserting their loss of control on Bloody Sunday and outright labeling it as wrongful killings with no immediate threat from the civilians present. After years of campaigning from victims' families, Smith's earliest beliefs on the inquiry being politically motivated were challenged by these findings published only decades later.
Despite the hardships endured by those seeking justice, the inquiry requested by Tony Blair was deemed necessary by the victims’ families who had demanded accountability for the brutality inflicted upon their loved ones. The ending of the Saville Inquiry not only addressed long-standing questions surrounding military conduct but opened historical wounds reflecting on the socio-political dynamics of Northern Ireland.
These discussions and reexaminations, highlighted by officials like General Smith and captured within the newly available state papers, serve to remind us of the complex interplay of history, accountability, and national identity. While some argue such inquiries illuminate dark truths, others, particularly from military ranks, continue to grapple with interpretations and the legacy of political decision-making during some of Northern Ireland's darkest days.
Ongoing debates around the legacy of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry cascade through conversations of justice, historical memory, and collective national narratives, showcasing the greatest tensions between government accountability and military service during conflict.
