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Theresa May: Legacy cases must be handled in a 'fair and proportionate way'

The Public Prosecution Service could charge 18 soldiers over Bloody Sunday
The Public Prosecution Service could charge 18 soldiers over Bloody Sunday The Public Prosecution Service could charge 18 soldiers over Bloody Sunday

ANY legacy cases must be dealt with in a "fair and proportionate way", Theresa May has said.

Following revelations that prosecutors are considering whether to charge 18 soldiers over their involvement in Bloody Sunday, Mrs May said Troubles-era cases have to be handled fairly.

"First of all prosecutors are independent and they will make their decisions, rightly, absolutely independently," she said.

"I think what is important as we look forward is that as we see, looking into those issues of legacy and looking into what has happened in the past, that we ensure that is done in a fair and proportionate way."

The prime minister made her comments as she visited the Balmoral Show on Saturday as part of the General Election campaign.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Derry in 1972.

A fourteenth person, John Johnston, died later.

A public inquiry led by Lord Saville later pronounced all those killed innocent. Then Prime Minister David Cameron later apologised and said the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable".

The PSNI launched a murder inquiry following the 2010 Saville Report.

It is understood the soldiers may face charges including murder and attempted murder, wounding, perjury and joint enterprise.

It was reported that:

- Two soldiers have been reported to the PPS for the shooting of Damien Donaghy and John Johnston

- Four have been reported for the killing of six people and the wounding of seven people

- Three different soldiers have been reported over the killings of four other people

- A further three soldiers have been reported over the killing of Kevin McElhinney

- An additional seven soldiers, one of whom later died, have been reported over the killing of John Duddy and the shooting of Margaret Deery, Michael Bridge, Michael Bradley, Patrick McDaid, Patrick Brolly and Pius McCarron

- One soldier has been reported for the killing of Hugh Gilmour and another soldier for the killing of Kevin McElhinney

- Four dead soldiers were reported for the killing of nine people