Kemi Badenoch Apologises for Bloody Sunday Footage in Legacy Act Video
Conservative politician Kemi Badenoch has apologised following the dissemination of a video on her social media channels, which featured footage of British soldiers entering Londonderry's Bogside on 30 January 1972, the date of Bloody Sunday. The video, intended to oppose reforms to the Northern Ireland Legacy Act, was removed on Friday, days after its initial Tuesday posting.
Thirteen civilians were shot dead by the Army during the 1972 events. The Saville Inquiry in 2010 concluded that none of the victims posed a threat, leading then-Prime Minister David Cameron to describe the killings as "unjustified and unjustifiable."
Badenoch stated the video's inclusion was "in error" and that she "did not sign off" on its content. She attributed the mistake to "very young people" within her team who reportedly failed to recognise the historical footage. "It was removed as soon as the party understood that that was what had been put out," she told PA News on Saturday. The Conservative Party had issued a prior apology on Friday.
Colum Eastwood, the Foyle MP, condemned the use of the footage as "disgusting and disgraceful," while welcoming Badenoch's apology. He urged her to offer a direct apology to the survivors and families of Bloody Sunday victims.
The controversial Legacy Act, introduced by the previous Conservative government, bars inquests and civil actions related to Troubles-era incidents. Labour's proposed Northern Ireland Troubles Bill seeks to repeal and replace this legislation, a move criticised by all Northern Irish political parties and victims' groups.
