No one will be prosecuted for giving false evidence to Bloody Sunday Inquiry, ... trends now
Families of Bloody Sunday victims have said a decision not to prosecute 15 soldiers over perjury is an 'affront to the rule of law'.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced 16 people will not be prosecuted over allegations of giving false evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
The decisions relate to 15 former soldiers and one former alleged member of the Official IRA. The PPS has said there was no reasonable prospect of securing a conviction in the cases.
Regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles, 13 people were killed when paratroopers opened fire on a crowd taking part in a civil rights march in Londonderry on January 30, 1972.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, headed by judge Lord Saville, was announced by former prime minister Tony Blair in 1998 and delivered its findings in 2010 that there was no justification for shooting any of those killed or wounded.
Demonstrators run during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry on January 30, 1972
Following the inquiry, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) submitted an investigation file to the PPS in relation to allegations of murder and attempted murder against a number of people.
One soldier, known as Soldier F, is facing prosecution accused of two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday.
The PPS had previously said consideration would also be given as to whether the test for prosecution was met in respect of allegations that those reported had given false evidence in connection with the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
It said its prosecution team has now determined that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction of any suspect considered.
John Kelly's 17-year-old brother Michael was shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the victims' families, he said: 'We consider that today's ruling by the PPS is an affront to the rule of law and a continuation of the injustice that was perpetrated on Bloody Sunday.'
Solicitor Ciaran Shiels, of Madden and Finucane, who represents a number of the Bloody Sunday families, said: 'We will carefully consider the reasons we have received today and do not rule out the prospect of further legal action.'
Philip Barden, partner at law firm Devonshires, acts for
