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30/06/2004
Soldiers' reinstatement 'wrong' says complaints assessor
The independent military complaints assessor has said that the Army's decision to reinstate two soldiers convicted of shooting a Belfast teenager "undermines" Army employment policy.
In his annual report the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures, Jim McDonald, concluded that the move by the Army to return Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher had served to undermine its credibility on employment issues.
Wright and Fisher were convicted of the murder of 18-year-old Peter McBride, who was shot as he ran away from a military checkpoint in the New Lodge area of north Belfast. Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, on their release after serving six years the pair subsequently rejoined the Army.
Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast and party spokesperson on policing and justice Gerry Kelly has called for the immediate removal of the two Scots Guardsmen.
Speaking on Tuesday evening Mr Kelly said: “Here we have the Independent Assessor for Military Complaint Procedures saying publicly that the McBride family have been enduring a long standing wrong.
"The British government should now order the immediate dismissal of these two convicted killers from the British army and allow the McBride family some closure on this injustice."
Mr Kelly pointed out that the statement follows on from a Court of Appeal ruling made in June 2003 that the army had been wrong to allow the soldiers to resume service in the regiment because of the "exceptional circumstances." He said that the MOD had "continued to ignore this ruling".
The north Belfast MLA said it was completely unacceptable that those convicted of murdering Peter McBride should be reinstated.
“I will be writing on this matter to the British government and Sinn Féin will continue to support the McBride family in their search for justice,” he added.
In his annual report, the Independent Assessor recommended that a High Court judge should be appointed to chair a tribunal to rule on such contentious issues.
Previous recommendations on the case by the Assessor have not been acted on.
The Assessors report was also critical of long delays in dealing with complaints made against the Army despite a relatively low number of recent cases.
(SP)
In his annual report the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures, Jim McDonald, concluded that the move by the Army to return Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher had served to undermine its credibility on employment issues.
Wright and Fisher were convicted of the murder of 18-year-old Peter McBride, who was shot as he ran away from a military checkpoint in the New Lodge area of north Belfast. Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, on their release after serving six years the pair subsequently rejoined the Army.
Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast and party spokesperson on policing and justice Gerry Kelly has called for the immediate removal of the two Scots Guardsmen.
Speaking on Tuesday evening Mr Kelly said: “Here we have the Independent Assessor for Military Complaint Procedures saying publicly that the McBride family have been enduring a long standing wrong.
"The British government should now order the immediate dismissal of these two convicted killers from the British army and allow the McBride family some closure on this injustice."
Mr Kelly pointed out that the statement follows on from a Court of Appeal ruling made in June 2003 that the army had been wrong to allow the soldiers to resume service in the regiment because of the "exceptional circumstances." He said that the MOD had "continued to ignore this ruling".
The north Belfast MLA said it was completely unacceptable that those convicted of murdering Peter McBride should be reinstated.
“I will be writing on this matter to the British government and Sinn Féin will continue to support the McBride family in their search for justice,” he added.
In his annual report, the Independent Assessor recommended that a High Court judge should be appointed to chair a tribunal to rule on such contentious issues.
Previous recommendations on the case by the Assessor have not been acted on.
The Assessors report was also critical of long delays in dealing with complaints made against the Army despite a relatively low number of recent cases.
(SP)
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16 January 2003
McBride family re-appeal Scots Guardsmen decision
The family of Peter McBride, who was shot and killed by the British army in 1992, will launch a fresh legal challenge against the MoD today over their decision to retain the two Scots Guardsmen in the ranks. Lawyers for the McBride family will begin the appeal against the ruling of Justice Kerr in judicial review at 10.
McBride family re-appeal Scots Guardsmen decision
The family of Peter McBride, who was shot and killed by the British army in 1992, will launch a fresh legal challenge against the MoD today over their decision to retain the two Scots Guardsmen in the ranks. Lawyers for the McBride family will begin the appeal against the ruling of Justice Kerr in judicial review at 10.
11 December 2002
Numbers of plastic bullets fired by army rises sharply
A new report has revealed there has been a large increase in the number of plastic bullets fired by British Army soldiers in Northern Ireland.
Numbers of plastic bullets fired by army rises sharply
A new report has revealed there has been a large increase in the number of plastic bullets fired by British Army soldiers in Northern Ireland.
13 June 2003
Army was wrong to keep killers says Court
The Court of Appeal in Belfast has said that the Army was wrong to retain two soldiers who killed a local teenager in 1992. Scots Guards Mark Wright and James Fisher were convicted of murdering 18-year-old Peter McBride while they were on patrol near his home in the New Lodge area of north Belfast.
Army was wrong to keep killers says Court
The Court of Appeal in Belfast has said that the Army was wrong to retain two soldiers who killed a local teenager in 1992. Scots Guards Mark Wright and James Fisher were convicted of murdering 18-year-old Peter McBride while they were on patrol near his home in the New Lodge area of north Belfast.
11 August 2003
Jean McBride to meet NIO Minister
The mother of a man who was shot dead by the British Army 10 years ago is to meet with NIO Minister John Spellar to discuss his role in allowing the two soldiers who fired the fatal shots to remain in the armed forces. Jean McBride will meet Mr Spellar at Castle Buildings, Stormont, this afternoon.
Jean McBride to meet NIO Minister
The mother of a man who was shot dead by the British Army 10 years ago is to meet with NIO Minister John Spellar to discuss his role in allowing the two soldiers who fired the fatal shots to remain in the armed forces. Jean McBride will meet Mr Spellar at Castle Buildings, Stormont, this afternoon.
04 September 2002
Protests held over McBride killing
Three protests have been held across the UK today to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of an 18-year-old Catholic father of two, Peter McBride, who was shot dead by the British Army in west Belfast. The vigil in Belfast was held at the City Hall between 1 and 2pm, and protests in London were held from 1pm to 4pm.
Protests held over McBride killing
Three protests have been held across the UK today to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of an 18-year-old Catholic father of two, Peter McBride, who was shot dead by the British Army in west Belfast. The vigil in Belfast was held at the City Hall between 1 and 2pm, and protests in London were held from 1pm to 4pm.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
