Photos prove Wilford is alive and well
This is the photograph that proves Derek Wilford, the commander of the Parachute Regiment in Derry on Bloody Sunday, is alive and well and living in Belgium.
The former army colonel - snapped by a photographer outside his home within the past four days - was damned in Lord Saville's report for disobeying orders and for his decision to send his troops into the Bogside.
Declared dead on both RTE and BBC radio throughout last week, Wilford was very much alive when he returned to his picturesque home on Friday afternoon last.
The 76 year-old now lives on the outskirts of a quiet village and reportedly teaches fine art to US soldiers at a nearby army base.
When approached by reporters at his home, Lt Col. Wilford said: "I don't want to talk about it. It's all been said."
He has not spoken publicly about the findings of Lord Saville's inquiry and instead insists that all inquiries should be directed to the British Ministry of Defence press office. "I have no comment to make. If you want to talk about it, you can go to the MoD press office," he said.
However, in the past, Lt. Col. Wilford has discussed his memories of Bloody Sunday on several occasions, always insisting that his men were fired on first - a claim firmly rejected by Lord Saville.
The outspoken former military officer, who was dressed in a tweed jacket and scarf, has been living in Belgium with his wife for a number of years.
Last week, a brother of one of those murdered on Bloody Sunday called for Lt. Col. Wilford to be tracked down and prosecuted for his actions on Bloody Sunday.
The Saville report heavily criticised his actions, saying he should not have launched the incursion into the Bogside area of the city.
It said he was wrong to do so because he disobeyed the orders given by his superior, Brigadier Pat McLellan, and also because his soldiers, whose job it was to arrest rioters, would have no or virtually no means of distinguishing them from those who had been involved in the march.
It said he was also wrong to send soldiers into an unfamiliar area where there was risk of attack from republican paramilitaries, in circumstances where the soldiers' response would risk civilians being killed or injured by army gunfire.
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: West
