Amnesty for veterans and terrorists accused of Troubles crimes planned by UK government
Former soldier Dennis Hutchings has previously praised sacked veterans minister Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, for standing up for veterans accused of historic crimes
12:31, 6 MAY 2021
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Troubles veterans welcome South Africa-style truth commission that would make British soldiers exempt from prosecution over killings - but amnesty proposals spark backlash on both sides of the Irish Border
New statute of limitations so no one can be charged over incidents up to the 1998 Good Friday agreement
Block on trials linked to the Troubles would apply to both IRA terrorists and veterans of the Armed Forces
Government will look at truth and reconciliation model similar to that used in post-Apartheid South Africa
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis is now in discussions about building a truth discovery museum
Promises are sacred in politics as in life, and despite all that has happened, governments usually do their utmost to keep them.
Many fair-minded people welcomed a pledge in the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto that a Tory administration would introduce legislation to create a system which prevents vexatious claims being brought against Armed Forces veterans .
This undertaking was not to be delivered at some unspecified time in the future. It would be fulfilled within the first 100 days of a Tory Government .
Many more than 100 days have passed since Boris Johnson s stunning election victory, and the Overseas Operations Bill only passed into law last week. It provides some protection against vexatious claims being brought against British servicemen.
Two veteran have been acquitted of killing IRA commander Joe McCan in 1972
Landmark decision has led prosecutors to re-examine evidence involving ex-soldiers dating back to 1972
At least 16 Army veterans facing charges over shootings during the Troubles will have their cases reviewed after landmark trial collapsed
Government now planning to make British soldiers and terrorists exempt from new prosecutions
Proposal to tackle legacy issues will be outlined in Queen s Speech next week