Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said she is 'profoundly sorry' today for the 'offence and hurt' caused after she suggested deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes.
Ms Bradley faced calls to resign following the comments on Wednesday, which sparked criticism from victims of the security forces and nationalist political leaders.
Her intervention sparked a diplomatic spat with Dublin as the Irish Government demanded an explanation.
Even former soldiers opposed to prosecuting troops who served in Northern Ireland slammed the minister. Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt branded the remarks 'extraordinarily embarrassing and naive'.
In her apology, Ms Bradley said her language was 'wrong' and 'deeply insensitive' to many of those who lost loved ones - particularly on Bloody Sunday in 1972. David Cameron issued a formal apology over the actions of British troops in 2010.
The Northern Ireland Secretary was humiliated last year after she admitted in an interview to not understanding the province's politics split on sectarian lines when she took on the job.
Karen Bradley (pictured yesterday in the Commons) said she is 'profoundly sorry' today for the 'offence and hurt' caused after she suggested deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes
Next week, prosecutors will announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings of 14 innocent civilians in Londonderry (image of tear gas explosions on Bloody Sunday in 1972)
She said: 'Yesterday I made comments regarding the actions of soldiers during the Troubles. I want to apologise. I am profoundly sorry for the offence and hurt that my words have caused.
'The language was wrong and even though this was not my intention, it was deeply insensitive to many of those who lost loved ones.
'I know from those families that I have met personally just how raw their pain is and I completely understand why they want to see justice properly delivered.
'I share that aim and that is why I launched the public consultation on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.'
Ms Bradley insisted her and the Government had a 'clear' position in favour of the rule of law.
She said: 'Where there is any evidence of wrongdoing this should be pursued without fear or favour, whoever the perpetrators might be.
'That is a principle that underpins our approach to dealing with legacy issues and it is one from which we will not depart.'
Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was shot by a Parachute Regiment soldier, said: 'It's very hurtful.
'She should resign right away, is she not aware that there was an inquiry that found our people completely innocent, was she not aware of David Cameron's apology to the people for the behaviour of the army?
'For her to come out with ridiculous comments, that is completely outrageous.'
Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was killed in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday, has slammed Ms Bradley's comments (he is pictured at the Bloody Sunday memorial)
Even former soldiers opposed to prosecuting troops who served in Northern Ireland slammed the minister. Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt (file) branded the remarks 'extraordinarily embarrassing and naive'
Asked if Ms Bradley should resign, Irish Premier Leo Varadkar said: 'Not gonna go there.
'It's not for me to determine the composition of any other government, that's something for the Prime Minister and Karen herself to decide.'
Northern Ireland's former police ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan urged the Prime Minister to seek Ms Bradley's resignation.
Ahead of the apology, Baroness O'Loan said: 'Those comments show a complete disregard for the operation of the rule of law.
'Moreover, they also demonstrate a total lack of understanding about Northern Ireland and utter contempt for those who suffered the loss of loved ones.'
Lord Dannatt told Nolan Live: 'In 1972 when I was a platoon commander on the streets of Northern Ireland I knew who the top of the wanted list in Belfast and Londonderry.
'I became head of the British Army, others became head of the political institutions in Northern Ireland.
'Life moves on.
'As far as Bloody Sunday was concerned bad things happened.'
Of prosecutions, he said: 'If you want life to move on you have got to think about the bigger issues and think about what kind of community and society do people want to live in, in the future.'
Asked if Ms Bradley should resign, Irish Premier Leo Varadkar (file) said 'not gonna go there' but his government did demand an explanation
Ms Bradley returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to clarify to MPs that alleged wrongdoing should always be investigated.
Next week, prosecutors will announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings of 14 innocent civilians in Londonderry.
Ms Bradley initially told MPs on Wednesday: 'The fewer than 10% (of killings) that were at the hands of the military and police were not crimes.
'They were people acting under orders and under instruction and fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way.'
She later returned to the Commons to say: 'The point I was seeking to convey was that the overwhelming majority of those who served carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity and within the law.
'I was not referring to any specific cases but expressing a general view.
'Of course, where there is evidence of wrongdoing, it should always be investigated - whoever is responsible.
'These are of course matters for the police and prosecuting authorities, who are independent of Government.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/07/northern-ireland-secretary-says-she-is-profoundly-sorry/
Main photo article Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said she is ‘profoundly sorry’ today for the ‘offence and hurt’ caused after she suggested deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes.
Ms Bradley faced calls to resign following the comments on...
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Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/07/12/10696964-0-image-m-2_1551963411354.jpg
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