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The defence of Soldier F during the six-year case related to the Bloody Sunday murder charges cost the government over £4 million, according to a parliamentary answer provided to Foyle MP Colum Eastwood. The legal fees currently amount to £4.3 million, with a possibility of a slight increase once all final bills are received. Eastwood expressed his dismay at the costs, describing them as “sick.”
Soldier F was acquitted of charges involving the murder of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, as well as five charges of attempted murder. The verdict was delivered at Belfast Crown Court earlier in the month. The events of Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972, where thirteen people were shot dead and at least 15 others were injured during a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of Londonderry, remain a tragic part of history.
Veterans minister Alistair Carns disclosed the details of the costs incurred in defending Soldier F in response to Eastwood’s inquiry. He emphasized the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to providing support to veterans, with Soldier F receiving legal and welfare assistance throughout the proceedings since his initial charging in March 2019. The expenses also cover the costs linked to judicial review proceedings. Eastwood criticized the government’s allocation of funds towards defending soldiers, stating that it undermines the pursuit of truth and justice for victims who are left to seek redress on their own
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