PROSECUTIONS:THERE WERE a number of calls yesterday for the prosecution of British soldiers who were involved in the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972 that resulted in 14 deaths.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland is now considering whether any of the soldiers should be prosecuted over the killings and woundings.
The PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott is to meet the head of the PPS Sir Alasdair Fraser soon to discuss the issue.
A relatively small number of former soldiers who gave evidence anonymously in London could face charges in relation to the killings, all of which Lord Saville found were unjustified. One of these is Lance Corporal F who is now understood to be in his late 50s or early 60s. Careful examination of the report reveals that he could have killed up to four of the victims and wounded up to four more. The families are aware of his name but have not disclosed it due to Lord Saville’s ruling that to do so would be tantamount to contempt of court.
It is unclear whether that ruling still applies now that the inquiry is concluded. One senior source, quoting legal advice, said that to disclose his name could have “serious implications”. Were Lance Corporal F charged it could be a matter for the court trying him to decide whether his name could be revealed.
As well as possible contempt charges, naming the former soldier could be in contravention of “right to life” legislation, the source added.
John Kelly, head of the Bloody Sunday Trust, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was shot dead by Lance Corporal F said he believed he should be prosecuted for murder.
Speaking in the Bogside yesterday Mr Kelly said, “He walked around this street killing at will. As far as I am concerned he should be brought to book for what he did here. The PPS are looking at Saville with a view to prosecution, so my view on it is let them finish the job.” Some other Bloody Sunday families have called for prosecution while others said they were happy with the report, and Mr Kelly acknowledged this reality.
“Not everybody feels the same as me. Others are happy and delighted with what they got; others want prosecutions but they don’t want the soldiers to go to jail; but we all respect each other’s opinion,” he said.
Lord Saville also found that some of the former soldier witnesses, who were granted anonymity, lied to the tribunal when they gave evidence in London.
In this regard the PPS is to consult with the British Crown Prosecution Service to find “where jurisdiction lies in regard to any possible offences that arise”.
Michael Mansfield, QC, who represented some of the Bloody Sunday families said the matter was so serious that consideration should be given to bringing perjury charges.
“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 – because 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 told BBC Radio 4.