The Ulster Unionist Party have refused to join the call for an inquiry into Robert's murder. The reasons and logic for this are dubious.
Ken Maginnis, the security spokesperson for the UUP has close ties with the RUC. He was once a member of the B-specials (when the B-Specials were disbanded many members joined the RUC) and he is currently a paid representative of the RUC in Westminster. It is therefore conceivable that he could have gained access to the sensitive information surrounding the attack on Robert and the subsequent activities of the RUC in the investigation of murder.
"the allegations in respect of the Hamill case can be easily de-bunked - the results of an Ulster Unionist investigation is currently at the printers"
The above extract comes from a statement by Maginnis called 'Anti-RUC Propaganda - Orchestrated Campaign A Dangerous Distraction' released on the 20th April 1999
The report Maginnis makes reference to has not been released nor has any date been set for its release. Requests by Robert's family to view a copy of this report have been ignored. A spokesperson from Maginnis's office has stated that it will be released publicly when he feels the time is right. This suggests that in defense of the RUC the UUP will use this report at a strategic moment, perhaps when an inquiry into Robert's murder seems close. This response demonstrates how much respect and concern Maginnis holds for the feelings of Robert's family. If indeed this report can 'debunk' claims that the RUC failed in their duty to protect and assist Robert - why, considering the controversial aspects of this murder has this report not been released to clear the 'good' name of the RUC?
Considering the connections Maginnis has with the RUC this report should at least reflect with some degree of accuracy the known facts. This seems unlikely in light of comments made by Maginnis during a debate on the Good Friday agreement in the University of North London on the 24th of February, 2000.
Transcript from video of Good Friday Agreement Debate with Ken Maginnis
Maginnis was asked if he would support the calls for an inquiry into Robert's murder. Maginnis responded by explaining his version of the facts. Maginnis claimed that Robert was extricated from a crowd by members of the RUC and was in no doubt that Robert would have been kicked to death if the officers had not intervened. He then claimed that when Robert was taken to hospital he was chatting and talking with another man who had been attacked in Banbridge. Maginnis's final claim was that 'the reason he died was because there was a wrong diagnosis as to his injuries'
The question whether or not the RUC left the land-rover to assist Robert is in no doubt. During the trial of Marc Hobson the RUC members involved claimed not to have seen nor heard anything of the attack on Robert, so clearly they did not 'extricate' Robert from the crowd.
In claiming that Robert regained consciousness in hospital Maginnis seems ignorant of the evidence of the casualty officer in the Accident and Emergency department of Craigavon Area Hospital and Dr. U Patel a specialist registrar at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Again, during the trial of Marc Hobson the facts were addressed and it was established beyond doubt from the evidence of various hospital staff that Robert did not regain consciousness from the attack. There are many witnesses to verify this including the family and friends who never left Robert's side for the twelve days that followed the attack until his death.
At no time was Robert talking with this person Maginnis knows and it is offensive to Robert's family and friends to hear Maginnis make such claims which are beyond a doubt proven lies.
Evidence of Dr. B K Low questioned by Mr. Kerr taken from transcripts of Court case against Marc Hobson.
In claiming that an incorrect diagnosis of injury was responsible for Robert's death Maginnis seems ignorant of the report of autopsy which states:
"Cause of death: Diffuse brain injury associated with fracture of skull due to blows to head"
Perhaps as Maginnis was in a university in London where media coverage is sparse concerning issues such as Robert's murder he felt able to distort the facts. Maginnis told lies - there are official records that discredit all his claims made during this debate.
Why does Maginnis feel the need to lie in an attempt to prevent an inquiry into Robert's death? Even to Maginnis it appears the facts make it transparently clear that an inquiry is necessary, therefore the need to lie. As a previous member of the B-specials and a paid representative of the RUC in Westminster he supports the honour and courage of this discredited police force. An inquiry into Robert's death would severly damage the reputation of the RUC - and Maginnis knows it. As a force already under considerable pressure and scrutiny from human rights organisations across the world this inquiry would further validate the need for serious root and branch change of the RUC. Something which Maginnis would find hard to stomach.
The Robert Hamill campaign is not seeking to disband the RUC and has no political motives. Its objective is to have the truth known publicly and those guilty of complicity in murder brought to justice. This has led to Maginnis targeting the campaign in order to defend the RUC. The campaign is not political but Maginnis is using the campaign to further the political agenda of himself and the UUP.
The noble peace prize winner and leader of the UUP, David Trimble has been asked to support the call for an inquiry in a personal letter from Robert's family in January 1998. Although Trimble had comforted relatives of other sectarian murders he did not extend this to Robert's family. Despite this apparent lack of compassion for his own constituents in the Upper Bann area it was initially felt he would at least support the call for an inquiry. This was in light of Trimble's call for an inquiry into the murder of Billy Wright in the maze prison.
Trimble did not respond to this letter and so a follow up letter was sent registered post in March of 1998. Trimble then responded and confirmed that the first letter was recieved and stated that he had written to the RUC. He enclosed a copy of that letter which asked if he was correct in his understanding that "the police patrol on the scene attempted to intervene, but were prevented from doing so by the crowd".
A further letter was sent to Trimble in July of 1999 indicating the despair felt by Robert's family at hearing Maginnis claiming that Robert was at worst sympathetic towards the IRA. Maginnis has no grounds to base this dangerous assumption upon. In the environment of Portadown where sectarian tension runs deep such comments serve only to justify murder in the minds of loyalist thugs who frequently taunt family members over the loss of Robert. The letter also requested a copy of the report that debunks the claims made against the RUC. Trimble informed the family that he had passed the letter on to Maginnis. Nothing more has happened on this matter.
Irish News article on allegations made by Maginnis
Maginnis had also cast a slur against Diane, Robert's sister in his statement on Anti-RUC propaganda in April 1999 which was posted on the UUP website. The reason Diane was targetted by Maginnis can only be that she has spoken out publicly of her concerns about Robert's death. Maginnis's remarks are unsubstansiated and reckless.
In reference to a Congressional Hearing in Washington:
"Giving evidence will be Diana Hamill (sister of Robert Hamill), Father Sean McManus, Father Raymond Murray and Mrs Tony Carragher (South Armagh Farmers & Residents Committee) each of whose political affinities is well-known. A request by me to be able to give evidence was summarily refused - it would obviously spoil the IRA theme - but at least I 'tested the water'."
Not only has Maginnis attempted to deny justice for Robert and keep his killers free, he has damned Diane in the eyes of loyalist thugs, the likes of whom attacked Robert. Portadown has proved to be an extremely dangerous place for Catholics and Maginnis has ensured that even more danger lurks within the streets for Diane and the rest of her family.