British prime minister Keir Starmer has apologised on behalf of the government to the families of five people who were shot dead in west Belfast in 1972.Speaking in the House of Commons at the start of prime minister’s questions, Starmer said: “The findings of the recent Springhill inquest into the tragic deaths in July 1972 of Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, Patrick Butler, Margaret Gargan, David McCafferty and John Dougal are sobering.“While the circumstances in which the events occurred were undoubtedly challenging, it is the duty of the state to hold itself to the highest standard.“The government accepts and deeply regrets these findings, and recognises their gravity.“On behalf of the government, I want to apologise unreservedly to the families for what happened and for the grief and trauma that they have endured since the tragic deaths of their loved ones.”British prime minister Keir Starmer. Photograph: Lucy North/PA Wire A coroner concluded British army soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shooting of the Catholic priest, a father-of-six and three teenagers at Springhill/Westrock on July 9th, 1972.[ Latest Mandelson files show what former ambassador really thought of Keir Starmer’s governmentOpens in new window ]