Sturgeon asked to help put IRA killers in dock
THE families of three Scottish soldiers killed by the IRA are lobbying Nicola Sturgeon for help in their fight for justice.
The First Minister was forced to apologise last week amid an escalating row over comments by the SNP’s Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason.
In a Twitter exchange, he suggested Republican terrorists could be seen as ‘freedom fighters’ – then later compared the IRA to Nelson Mandela in an interview with the Mail.
The relatives of the Scots murdered by the IRA are still campaigning for their killers to be brought to justice and are now hoping to meet Miss Sturgeon to discuss their case.
Mr Mason had been asked about the murders of Royal Highland Fusiliers Dougald McCaughey, 23, from Glasgow, and Joseph McCaig, 18, and his brother John, 17, from Ayr, who were shot dead by the IRA in March 1971.
His refusal to condemn the murderers because he did not want to take sides on Irish issues caused a major row and demands for him to quit.
Kris McGurk, campaign director of the Three Scottish Soldiers Campaign For Justice, said the families were ‘grateful’ for Miss Sturgeon’s intervention following the ‘unfortunate situation’ created by Mr Mason.
He said: ‘The comments made by him caused a great deal of unnecessary upset and hurt.
‘Your words have gone a long way to comfort them that Mr Mason’s views are not representative of your party and that they have your and the Scottish Government’s support.
‘Following what has occurred, it would mean a great deal to the families, after all these years, to understand what help the Scottish Government is willing and able to give to bring John, Joseph and Dougald’s murderers to justice.
‘The families ask if you would agree to meet with them to discuss this.
‘As well as needing the Scottish Government’s assistance, they would consider it a great kindness if you would agree to do so.’
When initially contacted by the Mail, Mr Mason refused to apologise for this remarks – and cited William Wallace and Bonnie Prince Charlie to defend the comments.
He said he was ‘trying to make more of a philosophical point that it is never clear-cut, or seldom clearcut, who is a terrorist and who is a freedom fighter’.
However, it has emerged that the SNP chief whip Bill Kidd subsequently wrote to Mr Mason to reprimand him. Mr Kidd’s email states: ‘The newspapers’ continuing interest in your recent tweets is causing concern for fellow MSPs in the group, who have constituents contacting them directly asking their comments on the subjects of concern and that’s unacceptable.
‘The Government are also being approached and this could cause the First Minister embarrassment.’
After the email, Mr Mason said: ‘I deeply regret the offence and upset that has been caused to the relatives who lost loved ones and am extremely sorry.
‘I condemn and deplore all acts of terrorism.’
But Mr Mason will escape disciplinary action by the party.
Miss Sturgeon’s letter was addressed to David McCaughey, a cousin of one of the victims who is campaigning for their unidentified killers to be brought to justice.
It reads: ‘Mr Mason has made clear that he regrets the offence and upset that has been caused.
‘He is extremely sorry. I would like to offer my own personal apology to you for the upset caused to you.’
Last night an SNP spokesman said: ‘The First Minister has already offered her personal apologies to the family for the offence and upset caused.
‘She has received the further letter sent on their behalf and will respond in course.’
The Scottish soldiers’ relatives are launching a legal battle to bring the living alleged murderers to justice after the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) snubbed calls to reexamine the case.
It comes as 1,000 ex-soldiers face a witch-hunt as the PSNI examines 238 ‘fatal incidents’ involving British troops.
donate to the families’ campaign, visit crowdjustice.org/ case/three-scottish-soldiers
‘Bring murderers to justice’