Conservative Video Sparks Backlash Over Bloody Sunday Footage

Kemi Badenoch is facing strong criticism after a social media video opposing proposed reforms to the Legacy Act included footage from the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland.

The video, shared earlier this week, showed British soldiers entering the Bogside area of Londonderry on 30 January 1972 — the day when 13 unarmed civil rights protesters were fatally shot by the Army. The clip was later removed after backlash, with the Conservative Party issuing an apology, stating the footage “should not have been used.”

Bloody Sunday remains one of the most controversial events of the Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles. A 2010 inquiry led by Saville Inquiry concluded that none of the victims posed a threat, and that the shootings were unjustified. Then Prime Minister David Cameron formally apologised, describing the killings as “unjustified and unjustifiable.”

In the now-deleted video, Badenoch criticised the government’s planned Legacy Act reforms, arguing they would reopen legal cases against former soldiers. She said such actions would force elderly veterans into prolonged legal battles decades after their service.

However, the use of Bloody Sunday footage in this context drew outrage. Colum Eastwood condemned the video as “disgusting and disgraceful,” accusing the Conservative leader of promoting the role of British soldiers while disregarding the suffering of victims and their families.

Eastwood also called on Badenoch to personally apologise to those affected, saying political efforts should not prioritise the interests of soldiers over justice for victims.

The apology issued by the Conservative Party has not been accepted by some families. Tony Doherty, whose father was among those killed, said he was “astounded” the footage had been used at all. He added that removing the video does not erase the historical pain or the need for accountability.

The controversy comes amid ongoing debate over the Legacy Act, which aims to address unresolved cases from the conflict. Critics argue the reforms risk undermining justice for victims, while supporters believe they protect aging veterans from repeated legal scrutiny.

The incident has reignited tensions around how the legacy of Bloody Sunday is remembered — and how political narratives continue to shape discussions around accountability and reconciliation decades later.