Soldier F charged with murder of William McKinney and James Wray

A Derry City and Strabane District counciller has said, Soldier F on trial for Bloody Sunday is the British state on trial.

Cllr Shaun Harkin (PBP) added: "The British state has done everything in its power to stop Parachute Regiment members responsible for murder on Bloody Sunday from going on trial.

"The trial of Soldier F, charged with the murder of William McKinney and James Wray, is commencing at the Royal Courts of Justice because of the tireless efforts of families and campaigners for truth and justice. 

"Many other members of the Parachute Regiment should be on trial, as should the top brass of the British Army who planned the slaughter along with the government officials who greenlighted it. 

"Those who planned the murder of Civil Rights marchers and covered it up were rewarded with accolade after accolade and promoted to the highest positions of power in the British military," said Cllr Harkin.

He added: "Government leaders and military top brass view the lower ranks as cannon fodder who can be sacrificed if necessary. 

"Nevertheless, Soldier F on trial is the British state on trial. 

"Holding the British army and state accountable for atrocities it has committed is crucial, while it assists Israel with genocide of the Palestinian people. They lied then and they lie now. 

"We salute the decades-long effort to hold the British state to account for Bloody Sunday. Now is the time for truth and justice."