Bloody Sunday detectives arrest ex-British soldier in probe over 14 deaths
A FORMER British soldier has been arrested by detectives investigating the Bloody Sunday shootings that left 14 people dead.
Families and friends of those who where killed on Bloody Sunday in 1972
A 66-year-old man was detained in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, this morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed.
Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment on the streets of Londonderry in January 1972.
Another victim of the shootings died months later.
Security services confirmed the detained pensioner was an ex-member of the Parachute regiment and has been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, leading enquiries, said the arrest marked a "new phase in the overall investigation".
A man receiving attention during the shooting in Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Mourners attending the funerals of the 13 'Bloody Sunday' victims
It is the first arrest made by officers since their murder investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday was launched in 2012.
In 1998 the Saville Inquiry was launched into Bloody Sunday, becoming the longest-running and costliest inquiry in British legal history.
More than a decade later in 2010, David Cameron apologised in front of MPs for the Army's actions, branding them "unjustified and unjustifiable".
A memorial in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, depicting the names of the 13 people who died
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement spokesperson declined to comment on the arrest: "We are aware an ex-soldier has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with their investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing criminal investigation at this stage."