This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/10/bitter-legacy-bloody-sunday-rumbles-former-soldier-arrested

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bitter legacy of Bloody Sunday rumbles on as former soldier arrested Bitter legacy of Bloody Sunday rumbles on as former soldier arrested
(about 3 hours later)
The killing by Parachute Regiment soldiers of 13 unarmed protesters during a civil rights march into Derry’s Bogside on 30 January 1972 bequeathed a bitter legacy that remains unresolved nearly half a century on.The killing by Parachute Regiment soldiers of 13 unarmed protesters during a civil rights march into Derry’s Bogside on 30 January 1972 bequeathed a bitter legacy that remains unresolved nearly half a century on.
The deaths on Bloody Sunday – including a 14th man who died of his injuries months later – and the immediate military denials of responsibility propelled a generation of enraged nationalists into the arms of the Provisional IRA.The deaths on Bloody Sunday – including a 14th man who died of his injuries months later – and the immediate military denials of responsibility propelled a generation of enraged nationalists into the arms of the Provisional IRA.
The first, now discredited, report by Lord Widgery, published in April 1972, accused the civilian victims of firing weapons or handling bombs – allegations that further infuriated bereaved families.The first, now discredited, report by Lord Widgery, published in April 1972, accused the civilian victims of firing weapons or handling bombs – allegations that further infuriated bereaved families.
It took decades of campaigning over Bloody Sunday, the biggest British military killing of civilians on UK soil since the Peterloo massacre in 1819, and the ending of the Troubles, to force the government to agree to a second public investigation.It took decades of campaigning over Bloody Sunday, the biggest British military killing of civilians on UK soil since the Peterloo massacre in 1819, and the ending of the Troubles, to force the government to agree to a second public investigation.
The Bloody Sunday inquiry was established in 1998 and began taking evidence two years later. The protracted investigation – like the current Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war – generated accusations of unnecessary delay.The Bloody Sunday inquiry was established in 1998 and began taking evidence two years later. The protracted investigation – like the current Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war – generated accusations of unnecessary delay.
Lord Saville’s 5,000-page report, finally delivered in June 2010, exonerated the victims and declared unequivocally that the shootings were “unjustified”.Lord Saville’s 5,000-page report, finally delivered in June 2010, exonerated the victims and declared unequivocally that the shootings were “unjustified”.
None of the dead or injured had been carrying a gun, no warnings were given, no soldiers were under threat and the troops were the first to open fire, the inquiry concluded.None of the dead or injured had been carrying a gun, no warnings were given, no soldiers were under threat and the troops were the first to open fire, the inquiry concluded.
David Cameron announced the findings and apologised on behalf of the British state as a crowd of around 10,000 people, watching his statement on a screen in Derry’s Guildhall Square, cheered wildly.David Cameron announced the findings and apologised on behalf of the British state as a crowd of around 10,000 people, watching his statement on a screen in Derry’s Guildhall Square, cheered wildly.
Related: Bloody Sunday investigators arrest 66-year-old former soldierRelated: Bloody Sunday investigators arrest 66-year-old former soldier
That euphoria has passed. The report inevitably opened up the prospect of criminal charges being brought against Parachute Regiment soldiers involved in the killings.That euphoria has passed. The report inevitably opened up the prospect of criminal charges being brought against Parachute Regiment soldiers involved in the killings.
In 2012, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) announced it was beginning a murder inquiry into Bloody Sunday and said that it would take years to complete.In 2012, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) announced it was beginning a murder inquiry into Bloody Sunday and said that it would take years to complete.
The former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain has called for the soldiers to be granted an amnesty on the grounds that the operation is a diversion of police resources from the continuing terror threat posed by dissident republicans.The former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain has called for the soldiers to be granted an amnesty on the grounds that the operation is a diversion of police resources from the continuing terror threat posed by dissident republicans.
Relatives of the victims, however, have demanded that justice should be pursued. The PSNI’s legacy investigation branch said earlier this year it intended to interview seven former soldiers.Relatives of the victims, however, have demanded that justice should be pursued. The PSNI’s legacy investigation branch said earlier this year it intended to interview seven former soldiers.
Detectives are now likely to prepare a report for Northern Ireland’s public prosecution service which will ultimately decide whether charges will be brought.Detectives are now likely to prepare a report for Northern Ireland’s public prosecution service which will ultimately decide whether charges will be brought.
It is not clear whether, if any soldier were eventually convicted of killing demonstrators, he would benefit from the two-year limit on prison sentences for Troubles-related terror offences negotiated under the Good Friday Agreement. It is not clear whether, if any soldier were eventually convicted of killing demonstrators, he would benefit from the two-year limit on prison sentences for Troubles-related terror offences negotiated under the Good Friday agreement.
Responding to the arrest of a former Parachute Regiment soldier on Tuesday, a UK government spokesman said: “Criminal investigations and prosecutions are a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities who act independently of government and politicians.Responding to the arrest of a former Parachute Regiment soldier on Tuesday, a UK government spokesman said: “Criminal investigations and prosecutions are a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities who act independently of government and politicians.
“The government believes in the rule of law. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing it is right that this should be investigated and, where the evidence exists, for prosecutions to follow.“The government believes in the rule of law. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing it is right that this should be investigated and, where the evidence exists, for prosecutions to follow.
“We remain unstinting in our admiration and support for the men and women of the police and armed forces whose sacrifice ensured that terrorism would never succeed in Northern Ireland and that its future would only ever be determined by democracy and consent.“We remain unstinting in our admiration and support for the men and women of the police and armed forces whose sacrifice ensured that terrorism would never succeed in Northern Ireland and that its future would only ever be determined by democracy and consent.
“The overwhelming majority carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity. This government will never forget the debt of gratitude we owe them.”“The overwhelming majority carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity. This government will never forget the debt of gratitude we owe them.”