11/08/2003

Jean McBride to meet NIO Minister

The mother of a man who was shot dead by the British Army 10 years ago is to meet with NIO Minister John Spellar to discuss his role in allowing the two soldiers who fired the fatal shots to remain in the armed forces.

Jean McBride will meet Mr Spellar at Castle Buildings, Stormont, this afternoon. Mr Spellar sat on the British Army Board which ruled that Scots Guardsmen - Mark Wright and James Fisher - could remain as serving soldiers after they were convicted of murdering 18-year-old Peter McBride.

The Court of Appeal recently questioned the Army Board decision but did not make an outright ruling overturning their decision.

Speaking before the meeting, Mrs Bride said: “I expect to hear precise details of how soon this government intends righting the wrong that was done to my family and to the memory of Peter.

"I want to know when, not if, the men who murdered my son are to be expelled from the British Army. If a soldier who cheats on a TV quiz show is not seen as fit for the British Army then this government needs reminding that the murder of another human being is a lot more serious than cheating.”

(MB)

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