Identified only as soldier 'INQ 2003', he was interviewed by a number of journalists several years ago and said that he had fired the shot which killed Jackie Duddy.
However, during his testimony this morning at the tribunal sitting in London, he admitted he was not in Derry on Bloody Sunday and that his claim about Mr Duddy was 'a complete invention'.
The inquiry also heard from a former Major in the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards who was serving in Derry at the time.
The officer, known only as 'INQ 179' said he had recorded in his diary that the paratroopers were 'savage, trained terrorists' who he claimed took pride and pleasure in what he called 'legalised murder'.
Officer 'INQ 179' said he noted in his diary on the day that he was horrified by the soldiers' actions.
