Prosecution call after Bloody Sunday inquiry
Wednesday 16th June 2010, 10:01AM BST.
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Prosecutors were today urged to consider bringing charges against soldiers accused of lying to Lord Saville’s inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings.
Michael Mansfield QC, who represented families of some of the victims, said the authorities should consider bringing charges of perjury.
In his report, published yesterday, Lord Saville concluded some members of the Parachute Regiment “knowingly put forward false accounts” to justify opening fire on unarmed protesters.
Mr Mansfield said while inquiry witnesses were given immunity from prosecution if they incriminated themselves in evidence, that did not cover false testimony.
“I do think, given the strength and clarity of the conclusions, where invented stories or falsehoods were told, that the Director of Public Prosecutions, either here in Northern Ireland or in London, should consider whether it is so serious – as the rule of law has been flagrantly breached on this occasion by a number of soldiers on a number of UK citizens – that consideration should be given to a prosecution,” he said.
Thirteen people were killed when members of 1 Para opened fire on a civil rights march in Londonderry on Sunday, January 30, 1972 in one of the most notorious events of the Northern Ireland Troubles. A 14th died later of his injuries. Lord Saville said they had been victims of “unjustifiable firing” by the paras.
Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson said any charges which might be brought as a result of the inquiry would now be a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.
The North Shropshire MP said it was not for politicians to determine whether a prosecution should be brought.
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