PM Blames Paras For Bloody Sunday

The Prime Minister has told the House of Commons that British forces were to blame for the death of all those killed on Bloody Sunday - whom he said were all innocent civilians.

Quoting from the Saville Report, David Cameron said that no warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire and that none of the soldiers had fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or stone throwers.

He said that some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying and insisted that none of the casualties was posing a threat or doing anything that would justify their shooting.

He said there's "no point in trying to soften or equivocate" - and that the events of Bloody Sunday were "not justified".

This was made worse by the fact that many of the soldiers lied about their actions.

He said that "what happened should never, ever have happened" and that "some members of the British armed forces acted wrongly".

On the same day as three servicemen died in the Afghanistan conflict he went further and said, on behalf of the Government and the country, he was "deeply sorry" for the events of Bloody Sunday.

Thirteen marchers were shot dead on 30 January 1972 after paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration.

Fourteen others were wounded, one of whom later died. The report found that the Army fired the first shot.

There has been no indication as yet if there has been any recommendation regarding prosecutions, however, Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has described Lord Saville's report as an "opportunity to put truth on the record" and has urged people to reflect on its contents.

The Minister received a copy of the report by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry this afternoon and said that he wants to study it carefully.

David Ford said: "This is obviously an emotional day for those who have waited years for the publication of this detailed report by Lord Saville. The report is an opportunity to put truth on the record and I will study it carefully. It is important that we take time to consider its findings.

"The report will once again raise questions on how NI deals with its past and how as a society we can move forward.

"These are issues for the Northern Ireland Office, the Executive and the wider community as a whole to consider and I will ensure that the Department of Justice plays its role in contributing to the promotion of reconciliation and of a shared future," he said.

See: Saville Inquiry To Report In June

See: Grim Afghanistan Total Rises Again

(BMcC/GK)