The British Defence Secretary, Mr George Robertson, last night visited Girdwood Barracks in Belfast in what was seen as a morale-boosting exercise after the announcement of the Bloody Sunday inquiry.
He said he believed the troops were "dedicated, brave and professional", adding: "I'm over here to express the government's faith in them and admiration for them, and to make sure that today's decision is seen in the context of events that took place 26 years ago and that today's army has the total confidence of the government."