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Colum Eastwood: MP reveals death threats after naming Soldier F

BBC EastwoodBBC
Colum Eastwood revealed the identity of Soldier F

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said he has received death threats after naming a former soldier facing murder charges over his actions on Bloody Sunday.

The Foyle MP used parliamentary privilege to identify Soldier F during a House of Commons debate this week.

He said he had since received deaths threats online and via email.

Police said they had received a complaint "that threatening and offensive comments had been made online" on Thursday.

They added that inquiries into the matter are ongoing.

The SDLP leader said the the police were treating the threats seriously, but he added he would not be deterred from standing up for the Bloody Sunday families.

"It is not nice, particularly when you have a family," he said.

"I did what I thought was right on behalf of the Bloody Sunday families. Those people have faced a whole lot worse than death threats."

He said those responsible can "expect a knock on the door" from police.

Handout/Wray family William McKinney and James WrayHandout/Wray family
Soldier F is accused of the murders of William McKinney (left) and James Wray

The Foyle MP named Soldier F during a debate in the House of Commons on the Armed Forces Bill on Tuesday afternoon.

The speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle has since said Mr Eastwood "broke no rules".

Soldier F is facing two murder charges over the killings of William McKinney and James Wray and five attempted murder charges for his actions on Bloody Sunday in 1972 when 13 people were shot dead by paratroopers.

He was granted anonymity after the judge hearing the case concluded "a real risk does exist" to the life of Soldier F and he is right to "feel genuine fear".

But the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said it planned to withdraw the charges after reviewing the case and decided statements were no longer admissible evidence.

The case was due to be formally dismissed in court last week, but a legal challenge by a brother of William McKinney forced an adjournment.

Leave has been granted for a judicial review into the PPS's decision not to proceed with the prosecution.

The case is due to be heard in September.