Bloody Sunday

Sir, – Whose idea was it to use the Parachute Regiment to contain civil disturbance in Derry in 1972?

This decision was taken a matter of months after members of the same regiment had shot a number of civilians in Belfast. The decision to use this elite unit of hard men reeks of macho recklessness. And yet the only one facing prosecution is a former foot-soldier.

The law must take its course but, in justice, it should also take aim further up the chain of command. – Yours, etc,