British soldiers will not give evidence in Derry
British soldiers who were in Derry on Bloody Sunday in 1972 will not have to give evidence in person to the Saville Inquiry following a court ruling in Britain this morning.
The British High Court has overturned an order by the inquiry for the paratroopers to travel to Derry to give their side of the story.
The soldiers had argued that this contravened their right to life because of the risk that dissident republicans could try to kill them in Derry.
Lawyers for 36 soldiers began their appeal in October, but most legal experts believed they would not succeed.
The Saville Inquiry, the second British government-appointed body to investigate Bloody Sunday, felt the soldiers should have to travel to Derry because any other arrangement would undermine confidence in the inquiry.
Despite this, the British High Court has ruled in favour of the soldiers, who will now give evidence via video-link to the Guildhall in Derry.
