Soldier F to stand trial over 'Bloody Sunday'

A former British soldier has pleaded not guilty to charges of two murders and two attempted murders on Bloody Sunday more than half a century ago.Lawyers for the ex-paratrooper known as Soldier F applied to have the case dismissed ahead of his trial.Judge Mr Justice Fowler has today dismissed the application at Belfast Crown Court, but continued the order for anonymity and screening of the accused veteran; the order was opposed by lawyers for families of the deceased.

BAFF has never opposed the bringing of criminal proceedings against current or former members of the armed forces, where credible evidence exists.

We have, however, criticised the way that some veterans have been treated, especially repeated and interminable investigations into alleged events many years in the past.

Many Northern Ireland veterans feel that legacy prosecutions, into events so long in the past, come into a different category altogether. Bloody Sunday was a disaster but, unlike so-called "on-the-runs", Soldier F has never hidden from justice. Whatever statements he gave at the time will have been on the advice, and in effect the orders, of the unit chain of command.