Bloody Sunday soldier 'a fantasist'

The former soldier who told the Bloody Sunday inquiry howBritish paratroopers shot 13 unarmed civil rights marchers without justification was described yesterday as a "fantasy merchant" cashing in on the tragedy.

Sir Allan Green QC, representing several of the paratroopers, said that soldier 027's 1975 account of the events of 30 January 1972 in Londonderry was "so unreliable that it is worthless".

The account of the former radio operatorwith the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment of the bloodshed in Bogside was crucial in convincing the Government to hold a second public inquiry.

The 1972 Widgery inquiry largely exonerated the paratroopers, finding they had fired in self-defence.

Sir Allan dissected soldier 027's 1975 memoir in which he described a paratrooper executing a marcher in cold blood, unjustified shootings of people whom he believed were not a threat, and efforts by soldiers to cover their tracks.

He picked out discrepancies in the account that soldier 027 could not explain, describing them as lies, embellishments or fantasy. Sir Allan told 027: "You are a fantasy merchant, aren't you? Selling fantasies in the way that has been examined in your evidence?"

Sir Allen suggested the account included "malicious tales" about other soldiers, triggering strong denials from soldier 027.

The inquiry, sitting in London, continues today.