Kemi Badenoch has apologised after a social media video attacking Labour's Troubles legacy proposals used footage from the Bloody Sunday massacre. The Conservative leader said she did not sign off on the clip, which was shared on her channels on Tuesday.
The video claimed Labour's proposed changes would “drag” British Troubles veterans back to court. It sparked anger from SDLP MP Colum Eastwood, who said he was “shocked” to see Badenoch “trumpeting the service of British soldiers using footage from Bloody Sunday”.
Speaking during a visit to a hairdresser in south-east London, Badenoch said: “I have apologised. I did not sign off the video. It was about a vote in parliament where Labour are putting in legislation that is hounding very elderly veterans. The video was done by very young people who did not recognise the footage as being from Bloody Sunday. It was removed as soon as the party understood.”
Bloody Sunday, on 30 January 1972, saw British soldiers shoot 26 unarmed civil rights demonstrators in Derry, killing 13. A 14th man died later. The event is widely seen as a key moment in the Troubles and led to increased IRA recruitment.
Labour's Northern Ireland Troubles bill aims to replace a Conservative law that would have allowed veterans to avoid prosecution by providing information. That law was ruled unlawful in 2024. Labour also wants to lift a ban on future inquests and civil actions.
