Sister of murder victim to stand
in London By-election
2nd September 2003 --
The Justice for Peter McBride Campaign announced today that
Kelly McBride, sister of the murdered Belfast teenager, would be
standing as a candidate in this month's by-election in the Brent
East constituency in London.
The decision to stand in the election has been taken in
response to the recent decision by Armed Forces Minister Adam
Ingram MP to retain the two soldiers convicted of the murder of
Peter McBride. By standing in Brent East, Kelly McBride plans to
bring her demands for the dismissal of the two soldiers right to
the heart of political debate in Britain.
In a message to the voters of Brent East Ms McBride said:
"You may be wondering why a young mother from a working
class area of north Belfast is standing as a candidate in Brent
East. I don't live in Brent East and I know little of the
day-to-day problems that you face. I don't expect to win this
election but by standing I am hoping to win justice.
"If a Major can be expelled for cheating in a game show,
why should convicted murderers be kept in the army, and even
promoted? My brother Peter was unarmed, posed no threat but was
shot in the back. The courts convicted the two soldiers who shot
him of murder. But as recently as August 2003 Armed Forces
Minister Adam Ingram MP said that the two soldiers could remain
in the army.
"Other government ministers, senior army officers and
right-wing newspapers have supported the two soldiers. The
decision to keep the two convicted murderers in the British army
was made in London. So we decided to come to London!
"I am asking for your vote so that we can all send a
simple message. The taking of a human life is more serious than
cheating on a quiz show. It is wrong to retain two soldiers
convicted of murder. Use your vote to give that message to this
government. Not in your name."
Kelly McBride will lodge her nomination papers at Brent Town
Hall, 40 Lane, Wembley, tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd, at 1.30pm
accompanied by supporters including John Kelly, spokesperson for
the Bloody Sunday families, and comedian and political
commentator Jeremy Hardy. Kelly Mc Bride will be available to
meet voters tomorrow night in Willesden Library between 7.00pm
and 9.00pm.
Spokesperson Shane O'Curry explained the decision to stand in
Brent East:
"This constituency, which includes Kilburn, has the
largest Irish vote in Britain. By coming to London, where the
decisions that have so affected Kelly's family have been made,
we intend to give the electorate here the chance to voice their
feelings on this issue. The McBride family already have the
support of most political parties in Ireland, north and south,
the Irish government, Amnesty International and other human
rights groups. By standing here they hope to get the support of
the people of Brent East, people who can see that employing and
re-arming two convicted murderers is simply wrong."
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