The scene of devastation following the UVF attack on McGurks bar in 1971

A LEGAL challenge is to be mounted by families of people killed by the UVF in the McGurk’s Bar bombing to get access to a report into the atrocity.

The report was compiled by ‘Waking The Dead’ detectives in the Historical Enquiries Team into the original RUC investigation.

Fifteen people – all Catholics – were murdered in the UVF bomb attack on the north Belfast bar in December 1971.

The families want to see the HET report but say Chief Constable Matt Baggott is blocking its release.

The Belfast legal firm Kevin Winters Solicitors confirmed a legal challenge will ,made agains the Chief Constable’s decision.

“Despite repeated requests and talks with the chief constable’s office, the HET and the Policing Board there is no sign of the report being given to those most affected, the bereaved families,” said the firm.

“We can confirm that, as of today, the families have instructed us to commence legal proceedings in the High Court in Belfast to get access to the report.

“They do so reluctantly but have no choice.”

The families have also lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman’s Office.

Later on Thursday, some of the families of those who were killed will lodge a complaint in person with the Policing Board.

In February 2011, the Police Ombudsman published a report into the attack claiming the original police investigation was “biased”.

It said the RUC was so focused on the idea that the IRA was responsible that it did not properly probe loyalist involvement.

Chief Constable Matt Baggott is refusing to hand over HET report into McGurk’s bar

In response, Mr Baggott said that several other reports had reached different conclusions.

He also said he believed all lines of enquiry had now been exhausted.

In 1978, UVF member Robert Campbell was convicted for his part in the attack.