SDLP Criticises Decision Not To Prosecute Soldiers For Perjury

The SDLP has described a decision not to prosecute British soldiers and a member of the IRA for perjury following their evidence to the Saville Inquiry as "another blow for the Bloody Sunday families".

Lord Saville found that many soldiers who gave evidence "knowingly put forward false accounts in order to seek to justify their firing" which places them clearly outside the commitments offered by the British Government not to prosecute those who told the truth.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP said: "This is the latest in a long line of decisions which have delayed and denied justice to the Bloody Sunday families. Lord Saville's remarks could not have been clearer - many soldiers who gave evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry 'knowingly put forward false accounts in order to seek to justify their firing'. The mental, legal and linguistic contortions that have been gone through to protect these soldiers over the last 50 years really beggars belief and stands in stark contrast with the way families have been treated.

"I know this is another difficult moment for these families. But the people of Derry, and people all across the world, know the truth about what happened here that day. The campaign for justice is not over, not be a long stretch, and we'll continue to stand with the families for as long as it takes."