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Kemi Badenoch has issued an apology after footage depicting Bloody Sunday was used in a social media clip criticising a proposed bill on Northern Ireland legacy issues.
The Conservative minister stated that she did not personally approve the video, attributing its release to “very young people”. The controversial clip, posted on Mrs Badenoch’s social media channels on Tuesday, argued that a Labour Bill would “drag” Troubles veterans back to court.
Colum Eastwood, the Foyle MP, expressed his shock, stating that Mrs Badenoch had posted a video “trumpeting the service of British soldiers in Northern Ireland using footage from Bloody Sunday”.
Bloody Sunday, on 30 January 1972, saw 13 unarmed civilians shot dead when members of the Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Londonderry.
Colum Eastwood, the Foyle MP, expressed his shock (PA)
The Conservative Party apologised on Friday for using the clips in its social media video, and said that as soon as it was brought to its attention, it was removed.
Asked about the clip during a visit to a hairdresser in south-east London, Mrs Badenoch said: “I have apologised. I did not sign off the video.
“It was about a vote in parliament where Labour are putting in legislation that is hounding the very elderly veterans for things that happened decades ago, often under the instruction of political leaders who are no longer around.
“We support our veterans, but the video was done by very young people who did not recognise the footage as being from Bloody Sunday.
“So I apologise as well that that video went out in error.
“It was removed as soon as the party understood that that was what had been put out.”
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill aims to repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law, which was ruled unlawful in the courts.
PA