Thursday November 30 2000
Relatives of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday have joined with the Bloody Sunday Trust to express their dismay at the recent decision by the Army Board to reinstate the Scots Guards convicted of the 1992 murder of 18 year old Belfast youth Peter McBride.
Michael McKinney, whose brother William was murdered on Bloody Sunday, said: "Twenty eight years since the murder of our loved ones at the hands of the British Army, our pain and hurt is acute, and will remain so until justice is done.
"I have spoken to many of the relatives of those killed and those who were wounded on Bloody Sunday and they have all expressed their horror at the travesty of justice that has taken place in this case, where convicted murderers are allowed to remain members of the army.
"We are not particularly shocked by the fact that one of the three Army Board members responsible for taking this decision is General Sir Michael Jackson, who was a member of the Parachute Regiment serving in Derry on Bloody Sunday and whose chief responsibility was publicity. A man involved to such a high degree in the vilification of innocent victims should not be permitted to be involved in making decisions of this nature.
Tony Blair, when he announced of the Bloody Sunday Tribunal of Inquiry, stated: ‘Where the state’s own authorities are concerned, we must be as sure as we can of the truth, precisely because we pride ourselves on democracy and respect for the law, and on the professionalism and dedication of our security forces.’ Is the Prime Minister now implying that a murder conviction is a positive reflection of such professionalism and dedication?"
Robin Percival, Chairman of the Bloody Sunday Trust, said: "Bearing in mind the crass insensitivity demonstrated by the Army Board in making this decision, the entire community can be forgiven for thinking that the establishment is once again rubbing salt in his wounds.
"We wish to express our solidarity and sympathy with the McBride family for their international day of protest tomorrow."