Prime Minister David Cameron today issued a formal state apology for the 'unjustified and unjustifiable' killing of 14 civil rights marchers by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday in Derry 38 years ago. Speaking in the House of Commons, Cameron said the long-awaited Saville inquiry report was 'absolutely clear' that all those who died were innocent and that soldiers had lied about their involvement.
'What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong,' Cameron told MPs. 'The government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the armed forces, and for that, on behalf of the government and on behalf of the country, I am deeply sorry.' Relatives of the victims cheered as they watched the statement relayed to screens outside the Guildhall in Derry.
The 5,000-page, 10-volume report, which took 12 years to compile at a cost of almost £191 million, concluded there was no justification for shooting at any of those killed or wounded on the march. It found that none of the victims was armed and no warning was given by soldiers. The inquiry said the casualties were caused by soldiers 'losing their self control'.
The report heavily criticised soldiers on the ground, particularly 'Lance Corporal F', who was identified as shooting between four and six victims. Saville said he 'falsely claimed' to have shot a nail bomber and 'did not fire in panic or fear'. However, the report did not hold the British government of the time directly responsible, finding 'no evidence' that it encouraged the use of lethal force.
The inquiry also exonerated the army's then commander of land forces, Major General Robert Ford, of any blame. But it found that Lieutenant Colonel Derek Wilford ignored instructions not to order troops deeper into the Bogside, a decision described as 'unjustified'. The report opens up the possibility of legal action against soldiers involved in the atrocity.
