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Hundreds of British military veterans marched on London today in support of Soldier J, the former para arrested over three deaths at Bloody Sunday 43 years ago.

Men and women from across the UK and Northern Ireland traveled to the capital to present a petition to No10 Downing Street.

The former English Lance Corporal, 66, was arrested at his home in Co Antrim by PSNI officers and is suspected of the murder of three people and the wounding of an other.

Soldier J was interviewed at a police station in Belfast earlier in the month, having been arrested by detectives from the Legacy Investigation Branch. He was released on bail 24 hours later.

He was arrested on suspicion of the murders of William Nash, 15, Michael McDaid, 20, and John Young, 17, in January 1972.

He is also suspected of the attempted murder of William’s father Alexander who sustained gunshot wounds as he attempted to help his son.

Now more than 300 of his military colleagues have marched on London to vent their frustration over the arrest.

One said: "Vets from all over the UK attended and from all arms of the Forces, Army, Navy and RAF. We marched in London today in support of L/Cpl J, a Para who has been arrested and bailed in regard to Bloody Sunday, 1972.

"Terrorists in Nothern Ireland are given immunity from prosecution for murders. Soldiers, however, can face persecution over 40 years later. So more marches are planned as we intend to keep up the momentum.

"We delivered a petition to No10 Downing Street with 24,409 signatures and more people are signing every day."

The petition addressed to Prime Minister David Cameron and Theresa May, reads: "It has widely been reported that the first Armed Forces Veteran present during Bloody Sunday Northern Ireland Troubles January 1972 has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch.

"Whilst known members of the Provisional IRA and other Republican terrorist groups have been given immunity, released early or faced no investigation and or arrest due to 'get out of jail free' letters handed to them by the very government this man was serving.

"This petition calls for all arrests and investigation into Forces Veterans during the Troubles to cease forthwith and the soldiers whom were present on that fateful day to be exonerated in the same way that members of known Republican terror groups have been exonerated for their terrorist crimes.

"No benefit comes from this persecution of Veterans other than to stir up a tragic day in the history of the troubles. These events occurred 43 years ago. Northern Ireland and most of its people have moved on and want to forget. Lets lay this to rest once and for all. These political statements to appease the Republican/Sinn Fein movement must stop."

The PSNI officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, said the arrest marked a new phase in the overall investigation which would continue for some time.

In Derry, in January 1972 British paratroopers opened fire and killed 13 demonstrators.

Fourteen were injured and another was to die later.

In September, it had been revealed that seven soldiers were to be interviewed by police investigating the shootings.

But detectives investigating the killings have undertaken not to arrest any more ex-soldiers until a legal challenge against their detention approach is heard.

Seven former paratroopers are seeking a judicial review into the way the PSNI is conducting its historical probe.

The legal bid argues that the men should not be arrested and taken to Northern Ireland for questioning because they are willing to voluntarily attend police interview in England.

A judge in London has scheduled a hearing at the Divisional Courts in London on Thursday November 26.

Inspector Harrison had met victims' families to update them on the progress of their investigation. He said 34 military and 310 civilian witness statements have been recorded.

A spokesman said: "He also told the families that seven military witnesses would be interviewed over the coming months, along with 10 civilian witnesses.

"DCI Harrison reiterated the fact this is a long, complex and protracted investigation but that he remained committed to keeping the families informed of progress as appropriate."