Sacked minister Johnny Mercer to lead respect our veterans march through London on May 8 after daughter of soldier shot dead in The Troubles tells of joy as trial of troops accused of murdering IRA leader COLLAPSES
Johnny Mercer expressed frustration at a lack of progress on legislation to protect British veterans who served during the Troubles from prosecution
Soldier A and Soldier C accused of murdering Official IRA leader Joe McCann
A judge in the landmark trial of ruled crucial evidence inadmissible yesterday
Mercer last night announced he would be helping to organise a march on May 8
Employees from PZ Cussons in Manchester took part in a 16-hour sponsored fast and raised £941 for Francis House Children’s Hospice. The Ramadan Challenge was the brainchild of Ahsen Ehsan, who invited his colleagues to join him for a day as he fasted during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Twenty of his co-workers stepped forward to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Waking up before 4am to have a meal before fasting until 8pm. “It was amazing to have such great support from my lovely colleagues who fasted with me, donated money and motivated others to give sponsorship,” said Ahsen.
By Press Association 2021
General view of Belfast Crown Court also known as Laganside Courts (Niall Carson/PA)
Statements made by two former paratroopers accused of murdering an Official IRA leader in 1972 have been excluded as evidence in their trial.
The court heard that the prosecution accepted that if the evidence was excluded the charges against the defendants must fail.
The prosecution is considering an appeal against the ruling, which will be heard on Tuesday at 2pm.
Joe McCann, 24, was shot dead as he ran away from the police and Army on Joy Street in Belfast in April 1972.
Speaking outside Laganside Court in Belfast afterwards, solicitor for the McCann family Niall Murphy said they had “very strongly held views” about the ruling.
Anna-Marie Bankier, 51, told MailOnline she was delighted the case had collapsed
The daughter of a British soldier killed by Official IRA leader Joe McCann was tonight delighted - after the controversial trial against two paratroopers accused of murdering the republican collapsed.
Statements from the pair of soldiers cannot be used as evidence in their hearing, destroying the much-criticised case levelled against them.
The court heard that the prosecution accepted that if they were excluded the charges against the defendants must fail, but have until 2pm on Tuesday to consider an appeal.
Anna-Marie Bankier, 51, told MailOnline she was delighted the case had collapsed.
Statements of former paratroopers excluded from murder trial of ex-IRA man banburycake.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from banburycake.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.