Veterans in white feather protest at Bloody Sunday probe
Heroes hand back medals in fury at PM
THREE military veterans have handed back their medals to the Prime Minister and her Cabinet in disgust at the decision to prosecute a former paratrooper over Bloody Sunday.
Corporal Jim Kenyon, Captain Steve Garwood and ex-SAS Sergeant Major Mark Billingham all posted their Northern Ireland medals to Downing Street.
They included 23 white feathers – one for each member of the Cabinet – saying they represent ‘cowardice’ in the face of the enemy. Mr Kenyon said other veterans have contacted him to say they would also hand back their medals in protest.
Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service announced last month that one veteran, known as ‘Soldier F’, would be prosecuted over two murders and four attempted murders allegedly committed in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday almost 50 years ago.
The decision to bring a single prosecution over the shootings was met with fury by families of the Bloody Sunday victims and veterans alike. Mr Kenyon, 49, who signed up to the Parachute Regiment in 1985 and served one tour of Northern Ireland, said: ‘Soldier F being prosecuted 47 years after Bloody Sunday is a disgrace.
‘I believe he is a scapegoat for former government failures. The Government has an opportunity to stand up and do what is right and stop this prosecution. Three of us have sent our medals back and other veterans have contacted me saying they are going to send back their medals.’
The veterans handed in their own medals along with 20 miniatures bought. Mr Kenyon, who is a former Mayor of Hereford, said: ‘The politicians have let us down. The Armed Forces should have had an amnesty.’
He posted a video on social media of the medals and feathers, with a voiceover explaining: ‘The Good Friday Agreement gave amnesty to terrorists. It gave no amnesty to the Armed Forces. By receiving the white feather you will always be cowards. By standing up for Soldier F and returning the white feather you will regain some of the support you have lost from the military community.’
In their letter to ministers, the three veterans referred to Corporal Derek Wood, who was one of two signalmen killed when they were dragged from their car in Belfast in 1988.
They also mentioned Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick, who was shot dead in South Armagh in February 1997 while talking and smiling with a Catholic woman.
There are fears that former soldiers who served in the Troubles could face many more years of anguish after solicitors acting on behalf of the families of Bloody Sunday victims confirmed they would appeal against the prosecutors’ decision.
Under current proposals, a new Historical Investigations Unit will be set up to investigate incidents during the Troubles, meaning troops face years of further probes.
The new body would have a caseload of about 1,700 deaths and aims to complete its work in five years.
A Government spokesman said: ‘We are indebted to the soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland.
‘Although the decision to prosecute was taken by the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, which is independent from Government, we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected.’
‘Politicians have let us down’