PROTESTS OVER SOLDIER F TRIAL
HUNDREDS of army veterans and their supporters have held a protest march in Brecon.
Around 1,000 turned out in support of former soldiers who are facing prosecution in Northern Ireland.
Spectators lined the streets of the town as the protesters walked and rode motorbikes from various points on the outskirts of the town into the centre.
The banner at the front of the parade said: “Together we’re strong. Forward with pride and honour.”
It is the third large-scale event to be held in Wales this year, after previous marches in Cardiff and Swansea.
It has been organised by the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, which is opposed to the pending prosecution of Soldier F – which is the code name for the only serviceman set to stand trial over the Bloody Sunday shootings.
Soldier F is one of 17 former members of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment who were investigated over the violence which left 13 people dead in Londonderry in 1972.
Earlier this year, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the soldier, whose identity is being protected, is to face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney.
Welsh organiser Tiggy MarsdenDavies, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, said she was delighted at the positive reception to the protest.
She said: “We have had so much support on all the marches and everyone has been very positive about what we are trying to do.
“Lots of people don’t realise this is going on, so our protest is about raising awareness. It is not fair that IRA prisoners are being pardoned, while 50 years on soldiers are being prosecuted for doing their jobs.
“They didn’t go out with a premeditated plan to kill people, it was not murder. We want our guys to be better looked after.
“Boris Johnson has promised before he got in as Prime Minister to stop persecutions of veterans (over historic allegations over their conduct in Northern Ireland).
“We’re carrying out this protest rally to raise awareness of the situation. The Government are just not listening.”
She said that there are plans to hold more protest marches in Wales with plans being decided in coming days.