Willie Frazer defends posing with military weapons

In recent days the Families Acting for Innocent relatives spokesman posted pictures of himself with the weapons, which he says were on display at an exhibition of UDR memorabilia in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone.

“It was an exhibition by the UDR and the police and I served in the army, as a lot of the families I am involved with did so I cannot understand what the issue is?,” he said.

“All the weapons I posed with have been deactivated.”

Mr Frazer said anyone who was annoyed by the pictures “are going to have to get used to this”.

He said while “others are running around glorifying terrorism, our intention is to tell the story of the UDR and the army and the police”.

“These pictures were taken at a display so people could see what was used,” he added.

“This is part of our history. In Northern Ireland we outweigh the contribution to any other part of the UK in membership of the armed services.

“More than 60000 men and woman went through the UDR alone, a similar number went through the police and then the army.

“It is important that our history is told. There is no promotion of terrorism or violence, it is about defending the community.

“But is it different for young ones posing with weapons, trying to portray terrorists were freedom fighters.”