Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has faced calls to resign after telling MPs that killings by the military and police during The Troubles "were not crimes".

Amid a backlash at her remarks, the cabinet minister was forced to return to the House of Commons hours later on Wednesday to clarify that she was "not referring to any specific cases".

During Northern Ireland questions on Wednesday morning, Ms Bradley initially told MPs that "over 90% of the killings during The Troubles were at the hands of terrorists".

"Every single one of those was a crime," she added, as she responded to a plea from DUP MP Emma Little Pengelly to "put in place a mechanism to investigate the acts of terrorism".

Ms Bradley continued: "The under 10% that were at the hands of the military and police were not crimes; they were people acting under orders and instructions, fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way."


In 2010, former prime minister David Cameron issued a formal, state apology for the "unjustified and unjustifiable" killing of 13 people by British soldiers on 30 January 1972.

Image: 13 people were killed on 'Bloody Sunday'

Next week, prosecutors will announce whether soldiers will face trial for the "Bloody Sunday" killings in Londonderry.

Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was among those who died, highlighted the 2010 apology as he criticised Ms Bradley's comments and called for her to quit.

"It's very hurtful," he said.

"She should resign right away, is she not aware that there was an inquiry that found our people completely innocent, was she not aware of David Cameron's apology to the people for the behaviour of the Army?

"For her to come out with ridiculous comments, that is completely outrageous.

"She should resign."

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was also shot dead on Bloody Sunday, also called for Ms Bradley to leave her role.

"I don't believe she can represent the nationalist people of the north or anyone who lost their lives at the hands of the British Army," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

Ms Bradley returned to the Commons later on Wednesday to suggest her comments "may have been open to misinterpretation".

She told MPs: "I referred to deaths during The Troubles caused by members of the security forces.

"The point I was seeking to convey was that the overwhelming majority of those who served carried out their duties with courage, professionalism, integrity and within the law.

"I was not referring to any specific cases, but expressing a general view. Of course, where there is evidence of wrongdoing it should always be investigated, whoever is responsible.

"These are of course matters for the police and prosecuting authorities who are independent of government."