The following statement provides a detailed account of the sequence of events leading to and following the Irish National Liberation Army operation to eliminate Billy Wright, the then leader of the Loyalist Volunteer Force, who was executed by an INLA Active Service Unit in the environs of H Block 6 in Long Kesh on the morning of 27th December 1997.

This account has been compiled in consultation with the three INLA volunteers involved in the execution of Wright and the INLA leadership outside Long Kesh. Prior to detailing the exact sequence of events, however, we wish to provide a detailed account of events both inside H Block 6 and outside within the wider nationalist community in the months leading up to the actual operation to eliminate Wright. In reading this account the following points should be noted:

1. The primary purpose of this article is to counteract in their entirety unfounded allegations which have emanated in relation to this operation from biased and/or partisan sources ever since the 27th December 1997. The nature of such unfounded allegations have tended to be in the main to suggest some form of collusion was arrived at to eliminate the LVF leader between the INLA and other elements. These allegations have tended to be promoted by loyalist groupings, individuals and/or ill-informed elements within the wider republican/nationalist community. With specific regard to ludicrous suggestions alleging collusion with prison authorities, we wish to provide a detailed account of the exact dealings involving republican socialist wing POW representatives and prison authorities in Long Kesh during the months prior to the operation of the 27th December 1997. From here on republican socialist POW representatives are referred to as "INLA Camp Staff".

2. It should be noted that as a matter of regulation that all dealings involving the INLA Camp Staff in Long Kesh and prison authorities are recorded contemporaneously by INLA internal security within Long Kesh. Regulations in accordance with INLA internal security requirements dictate that any dealings in this respect must involve consultation between at least two representatives from the INLA Camp Staff in Long Kesh. It should also be noted in advance of reading these recollections however that the sole purpose of any such consultations involving INLA Camp Staff and the prison authorities are solely to address prison living conditions for INLA personnel within Long Kesh.

3. In light of the unfounded allegations outlined above, the INLA leadership, in conjunction with INLA internal security in Long Kesh, have authorised the release of the written detailed records of all meetings involving the INLA Camp Staff and the prison authorities in Long Kesh immediately prior and following the establishment of an LVF presence in Long Kesh, concluding with the events surrounding the operation to eliminate the LVF leader on the 27th December 1997.

4. A detailed account of all the workings of the actual operation to eliminate Billy Wright will also be provided.