Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain’s comments that British soldiers should not be prosecuted for the Bloody Sunday killings have been described as inappropriate by Derry Sinn Féin MLA Foyle Raymond McCartney.
Mr McCartney said given the ongoing investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday by the PSNI, Mr Hain’s were “ill-judged and ill-timed.”
Mr Hain was speaking after it emerged a number of “on the run” republicans had been informed they would not face legal proceedings.
Following the findings of the Saville Inquiry, the PSNI has launched a murder investigation into the 1972 killings.
Mr McCartney said: “Sinn Féin have always supported the families of those killed by the British army on Bloody Sunday.
“Some of those families wish to seek prosecution against those responsible for the death of their loved ones.”
He concluded: “Given the ongoing investigation by the PSNI following the Saville inquiry’s findings into the events of Bloody Sunday Peter Hain’s comments are ill judged and inappropriate.”
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