Who? Matthew Jury, managing partner, McCue & Partners.
Why is he in the news? Represents Dennis Hutchings, 80, one of several British Army veterans facing trial on charges relating to events during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Hutchings is seeking to go straight to the European Court of Human Rights to end what are alleged to be discriminatory prosecutions of Northern Ireland veterans.
Thoughts on the case: ‘Veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles are up to 54x more likely to be prosecuted than Republican paramilitaries for offences pre-dating the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Anyone who’s committed a crime, soldier or otherwise, should face prosecution. But not by a discriminatory system. That’s a terrible injustice to inflict on anyone, let alone those who served to protect our country’s safety and security. To compound the discrimination, legislation has now been passed that protects veterans who served overseas, but not in Northern Ireland, from suc
Johnny Mercer joined by attempted murder accused Dennis Hutchings during veterans march
It comes after two former paratroopers accused of the murder of an Official IRA leader were formally acquitted at Belfast Crown Court after prosecutors offered no further evidence at their trial
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A striking image showing Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer grasping the shoulder of a former soldier accused of the attempted murder of a vulnerable man 46 years ago was taken at a veterans rally in London at the weekend.
Hundreds of people joined the Respect our Veterans march on Saturday, led by the former Veterans Minister, after a trial of former soldiers accused of murdering an Official IRA man collapsed last week.
SACKED veterans minister Johnny Mercer was criticised over a “vile” tweet today in which he appeared to dismiss the killing of a young Irish man during the Troubles.
The former minister came under fire after posting a photo from Saturday’s veterans protest in Parliament Square with his arm round Dennis Hutchings, the Cornish former squaddie who is facing trial for the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Tyrone in 1974.
Mr Cunningham, a 27-year-old man with learning difficulties, was fatally shot in the back while running away from an army patrol near Benburb.
Mr Mercer tweeted: “[Hutchings] is due to stand trial in September for something that happened 46 years ago in Northern Ireland.
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The march comes days after news broke that the government is reportedly planning to make British veterans and terrorists exempt from prosecution for incidents that took place before the 1998 Good Friday agreement.
Any actions involving war crimes, genocide or torture however will not be included.
Four soldiers have already been charged with offences including murder. A further 12 are awaiting decisions on prosecutions following historic investigations by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
A veteran looks on as speeches are made close to the statue of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Attendees worn facemasks, some clear and some with flags on them, to adhere to coronavirus guidelines.
Hundreds of people joined former defence minister Johnny Mercer in a London march to support veterans.
A rally of bikers from campaign group Rolling Thunder UK, which organised the event, were among those at Parliament Square in central London on Saturday.
They rode in their droves into the capital and assembled close to the statue of Sir Winston Churchill outside Parliament as demonstrators waved flags and brandished placards, with one banner saying “stop vexatious trials of vets”.
A crowd gathered as Mr Mercer was joined on stage by British soldier Dennis Hutchings to give a speech.
Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer, with Dennis Hutchings (right), as he addresses the veterans march in Parliament Square (Steve Parsons/PA)