The former British soldier whose murder conviction for the killing of two Belfast teenagers in 1993 was controversially quashed has had a job application to West Yorkshire police rejected.
Corporal Lee Clegg was sentenced for murdering 18-year-old Karen Reilly and wounding 17-year-old Martin Peake when they were allegedly joyriding in the Upper Glen Road area of Belfast in 1990. Mr Peake later died in hospital.
Following a sustained campaign by friends and relatives, Cpl Clegg was cleared of the murder conviction after a long legal process and a retrial, in March 1999. His conviction for wounding was quashed in January 2000.
Cpl Clegg was subsequently re-admitted to the British army and later promoted from the rank of private to corporal.
He told BBC radio today that he was devastated by the decision. "To be quite honest, my mother cried because she felt that I was being victimised again simply because of a terrible tragedy in Northern Ireland," he said.
"I would like eventually to get into a disciplined service like the fire service or the police force just so I can have job security after I come out of the Army and if not I think I'll be writing some memoirs," he added.
West Yorkshire police said in a statement today that after due consideration and legal advice, the force would not offer Cpl Clegg a position in the service when he leaves the army.
"West Yorkshire Police has made it clear to Mr Clegg the reasons for not appointing him as a constable. Full details of the rationale behind that decision have been provided to Mr Clegg," a police spokeswoman said.
She said the force would not reveal any further details behind the decision.