Teenage schoolboy Paul Whitters was shot dead by the RUC in April 1981
The 15-year-old was shot in the head with a plastic bullet in April 1981 during rioting in Derry .
Following the move by the British Government to release more information regarding the case of Paul Whitters via the National Archives, the Foyle MP said:
“Paul’s family cannot and must not wait until 2059 to discover the truth about his killing.
“Each year that passes without Paul’s family knowing the truth of what happened to him compounds their grief and diminishes their faith in the process.
“I have constantly raised Paul’s case with Secretary of State Brandon Lewis. He must act now to release these files.
“In whose interests is Paul’s case being kept closed? It is utterly reprehensible
“The British Government is speaking out of both sides of its mouth telling us that they want truth and reconciliation for victims, but their every action, including in Paul’s case and their shocking legacy proposals, has been to protect the state, to deny access to truth and justice.
“Releasing this information, a matter of days after introducing legislation which would prevent families bringing forward new civil cases, shows the character of a Government and a Secretary of State devoid of shame.
“The question is, does this Government really care about Paul Whitters, his family or any victim, or do they simply care about fulfilling a manifesto commitment, protecting the state and protecting paramilitary killers?
“Families have fought for truth and justice for decades; they will continue to fight, and I will do all I can to support them.”
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