Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“The needless dragging of an 80 year old soldier, Dennis Hutchings, through the courts has had a very sad end with the passing of Mr Hutchings this evening.
“The strain on this man was cruel, with him requiring regular dialysis, while being brought to Belfast to face a trial of dubious provenance.
“My thoughts and prayers tonight are with his family and friends who may understandably feel that what he was put through contributed to his decline.”