Today's defence news includes an interview with General Rupert Jones and a trial of a British Army veteran who served in Northern Ireland.
General Rupert Jones Interview
The Daily Express and The Sun report Coalition deputy commander Major General Rupert Jones’ comments that Daesh leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi will be hunted down and killed. Major General Jones is in Washington today with the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson for the meeting of the 68 member anti-Daesh coalition in Washington DC.
Martin McGuinness and Troubles prosecutions
There is coverage of the trial of the British Army Veteran Dennis Hutchings. The Daily Mail reports that the 75 year old has had an attempted murder charge thrown out, but that he still faces trial for causing grievous bodily harm to John-Pat Cunningham, who was shot dead in Northern Ireland in 1975. The Sun is outraged that Martin McGuinness is celebrated while Mr Hutchings faces trial. There is widespread analysis of the contested nature of Mr McGuinness’s legacy, with victims including British soldiers.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
This process is entirely independent of Government and so it’s inappropriate for us to comment. We understand the strain these proceedings place on our people, both serving and veterans, and will stand by them - funding all their legal costs and providing pastoral support.
Image: Corporal Donald Todd (RLC)
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