Ex-mayor to send back war medals over Bloody Sunday prosecution

Ex-paratrooper and former Hereford mayor Jim Kenyon is sending his Northern Ireland medals to the Prime Minister in ‘disgust’ over the prosecution of a British soldier for the killings of two people on Bloody Sunday.

Thirteen people were killed, and 15 people wounded after the Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry, on 30 January 30, 1972.

The day became known as Bloody Sunday – and victims’ families have waited 47 years to see if there would be prosecutions.

Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service said earlier this month that there was enough evidence to prosecute one paratrooper – known only as Soldier F – for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney.

He has also been charged with four attempted murders in 1972.

But councillor Kenyon said it was wrong for the UK Government to allow the prosecution to go ahead after so many years.

He also said he had spoken to SAS veteran Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham who is also considering sending his medal back.

Coun Kenyon said he will also be sending 22 feathers to the cabinet along with his service medals.

“I’ve given up on politicians,” he said.

“They send soldiers places to do jobs. And whatever jobs they do, politicians are the people that put them in these positions.”

He said the current cabinet members did not understand what it is like to serve in the Army.

“So, it’s as if they don’t care,” he said.

“I went to Northern Ireland when I was 18-years-old – I couldn’t believe what I saw.

“You had to be there at the time to understand what it was like.

“I’ve spent six months there and they were trying to kill me.

“I had rocket propelled grenades fired at me.”

Coun Kenyon said the Good Friday Agreement should have meant amnesty for all involved.

“This line to keep chasing the military shouldn’t have been pursued,” he said.

“There is a culture of this that goes into Iraq and Afghanistan as well and it’s awful.

“I think to drag a former paratrooper back for a trial is disgusting.

“No one is above the law but there were a lot of seniors and officers above him that should have been there controlling that situation.

“It almost smacks as scapegoating as if he’s been sold out.

“I’ll be posting my medal with a letter criticising the way they treat veterans.”