Sky Sources: Ex-Para Arrested Over Bloody Sunday

A former British soldier has been arrested by detectives investigating the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972.

Sky sources say the man is a former member of the Parachute Regiment.

The 66-year-old was arrested in County Antrim and is being held at a police station in Belfast, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed.

He was detained by officers from the Legacy Investigation Branch.

Thirteen people died on 30 January 1972 in one of the worst incidents of the Troubles when soldiers fired on unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry.

Another victim died months later.

Many were shot while running away or trying to help other people, and no warning was given before the shooting began.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, said the arrest marked a new phase in the investigation into the killings and that it would continue for "some time".

It is the first arrest since the murder inquiry into the events in Derry began in 2012.

The investigation was launched after Lord Saville's report found none of the victims was posing a threat to the soldiers when they were shot.

It also found many of the soldiers had lied about their actions.

David Cameron called the Army's actions "unjustified and unjustifiable" after the report's publication in 2010.

In September this year, police said they intended to interview seven former soldiers about their actions on Bloody Sunday.

Responding to the arrest, a Government spokesman said: "Where there is evidence of wrongdoing it is right that this should be investigated and, where the evidence exists, for prosecutions to follow.

"We remain unstinting in our admiration and support for the men and women of the police and Armed Forces ... The overwhelming majority carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity."