WATCH: Derry MP leaves station: PSNI refuse to conduct pre-arranged interview

Foyle MP and SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood, has walked out of Derry’s Strand Road barracks because PSNI officers refused to conduct a pre-arranged interview.

Prominent members of the Bloody Sunday families have also been contacted by the PSNI seeking similar interviews, it has emerged.

All the interviews relate to an alleged ‘unnotified parade’ in the city, in the city, on August 25, 2023. 

On that day, the Bloody Sunday families were accompanied to Derry Court by their legal representatives and local politicians, including Colum Eastwood, to hear proceedings relating to ‘Soldier F’.

Speaking outside Strand Road barracks at lunchtime today (December 15, 2023), Mr Eastwood, who was accompanied by his solicitor, Mr Ciarán Shiels, said: "I was asked to attend an interview with the PSNI because I walked alongside members of the Bloody Sunday families, to the Derry Court House, at a hearing for 'Soldier F'.

"I agreed to come but for one reason only, I was going to be very clear with the police that no member of the Bloody Sunday families will be attending to take part in this farce.

"This is an enquiry based on a mischievous complaint and in the light of the fact, 52 years ago, 14 people were murdered on the streets of this city and only yesterday, we now have somebody going to court over that, this seems to be the priority of the PSNI today.

"I have been sitting in there for 20 minutes and the PSNI have refused to send anybody down to interview me. So, I'll not be partaking in any further part of this process. I was only going in there to tell them that this is a farce and it shouldn't happen and that is the end of the matter. Good luck to the PSNI if this is the type of approach they are taking," said Mr Eastwood.