1 May 2026
Derry MP Colum Eastwood has said that the use of footage depicting soldiers during Bloody Sunday as part of a promotional video posted by Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch extolling the service of former soldiers is ‘disgusting’ and branded it an insult to the innocent civil rights protestors who were killed by paratroopers in January 1972.
Mr Eastwood said the Tory Leader has serious questions to answer about why she chose to use footage of soldiers in Derry on that day to praise veterans in light of the serious findings of the Saville Inquiry.
Earlier this week Mr Eastwood challenged the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on his understanding of the Saville Inquiry in the House of Commons.
Colum Eastwood MP said:
“I am shocked, frankly, that Kemi Badenoch has posted a video trumpeting the service of British soldiers in Northern Ireland using footage from Bloody Sunday. It is disgusting, disgraceful and it is an insult to the innocent civil rights protesters who were murdered in Derry in January 1972.
“Worse, the promo video is entirely about elevating the interests of British soldiers over the needs of victims and survivors who have been forced to fight against the power and might of the British state for decades seeking truth, justice and accountability for their loved ones. Even by the partisan standards of most Tory MPs on issues relating to the past in Northern Ireland, this is absolutely appalling.
“We’re a long way away from former Prime Minister David Cameron’s powerful apology for the actions of soldiers on that day. My thoughts are with the families of the murdered and injured on Bloody Sunday. They have been forced to endure decades of pain and struggle but have maintained immense dignity throughout.”