Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has apologized after footage from Bloody Sunday was used in a social media video criticizing a bill concerning Northern Ireland legacy issues.
The video, posted Tuesday to Mrs. Badenoch’s social media channels, criticized the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, claiming the legislation would “drag” Troubles veterans back to court.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he was “shocked” that the video used footage from Bloody Sunday to “trumpet the service of British soldiers in Northern Ireland.”
On January 30, 1972, members of the Army’s Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 unarmed civilians during a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of Derry, an event known as Bloody Sunday.
Badenoch Denies Signing Off on Video
Speaking during a visit to a hairdresser in south-east London, Mrs. Badenoch stated that she did not sign off on the video and apologized for the error.
She attributed the mistake to “very young people” who failed to recognize the footage as being from Bloody Sunday.
The Conservative Party issued an apology on Friday, stating the clip was removed as soon as the party understood what had been posted.
Mrs. Badenoch maintained that the intent of the post was to highlight legislation she claims is “hounding the very elderly veterans for things that happened decades ago.”
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill aims to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, which was introduced by the previous Conservative government.
The proposed legislation seeks to end the immunity scheme established under the Legacy Act, a mechanism that had been ruled unlawful in the courts.
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