THE former soldier who is to be prosecuted for the murder of two Bloody Sunday victims is expected to be charged within weeks.
It is also understood that Soldier F will be brought to a court in Northern Ireland after he is formally charged with the murders of William McKinney and Jim Wray as well as the attempted murder of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell.
The Bloody Sunday families reacted with disappointment after it was revealed by Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron on Thursday that only one ex-soldier would be charged in connection with the 1972 killings.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael (17) was shot dead, said there should be no further delay in the legal process.
“We call on all of those who will administer the next stage to move with all speed to bring this to a conclusion. We call on all involved to cooperate fully and not indulge in any more delaying tactics," he said.
“We call on the crown prosecution service to complete its process and reach a decision on whether or not anyone is to be charged with perjury in relation to their evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.”
A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said information about the prosecution of Soldier F has been given to the Bloody Sunday families.
She said: “As we advised them, a more detailed letter will issue in coming days which we hope will answer any concerns they may have about the process at this stage. We remain committed to engaging with families to keep them updated.”
As the decision to prosecute followed consideration of evidence by the PPS rather than on foot of a police charge, court papers must be prepared to be “trial ready” before the former soldier can be summonsed to court.
In a separate development yesterday, Bloody Sunday Trust chairman Tony Doherty called on Secretary of State Karen Bradley to resign over comments about the decision to prosecute only one soldier.
Mrs Bradley said "we are indebted to those who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland" before offering "deepest sympathy" for the suffering of the Bloody Sunday families.
Mr Doherty, whose father Patrick was one of those killed, said: “Her crassness is fathomless. The British army did not bring peace. To the people of Derry, the Parachute Regiment brought murder, mayhem and injustice.”
Ms Bradley was last week forced to apologise after she said killings by police and soldiers during the Troubles were "not crimes".
