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image captionJohnny Mercer left the government over the treatment of veterans
A former veterans minister has said he accepts any statute of limitations for alleged crimes during Northern Ireland s Troubles may need to apply to paramilitaries as well as soldiers.
Johnny Mercer left the government over the treatment of veterans.
He said Boris Johnson failed to deliver on promises to protect ex-soldiers who served in NI from prosecution.
On Monday he told the BBC he was open to a statute of limitations also applying to paramilitaries.
Earlier in April, Northern Ireland s Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan suggested if a statute of limitations was introduced it would have to be for everyone .
Joe McCann was shot dead in 1972 Rebecca Black, Cate McCurry and David Young, PA 26 April, 2021 11:19
Two former paratroopers deny murdering Joe McCann almost 50 years ago, a court has heard.
Official IRA member Joe McCann (24) died after being shot in the Markets area of Belfast in 1972.
The veterans, referred to in court proceedings as Soldiers A and C, entered not guilty pleas at the start of their trial at Belfast Crown Court today.
They will remain anonymous throughout the proceedings.
Opening the case, a prosecution lawyer told the court that Mr McCann was a senior member of the Official IRA who was suspected of involvement in a number of attacks carried out by the republican group.
Two British army veterans go on trial for shooting IRA man 50 years ago Joe McCann (24) was allegedly responsible for murder of 15 British soldiers
about 3 hours ago
Army Veterans protest outside Belfast Crown Court, in Belfast, on Monday as the trial opened of two former soldiers charged with the murder of Joe McCann almost 50 years ago. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
An IRA leader shot dead by paratroopers in Belfast almost 50 years ago had allegedly been responsible for murdering 15 British soldiers, the trial of two veterans has heard.
On-the-run Official IRA commander Joe McCann (24), was killed in the shooting in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
Johnny Mercer at Belfast Crown Court for trial of former paratroopers accused of murder plymouthherald.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from plymouthherald.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Press Association 2021
Joe McCann murder trial
An IRA leader shot dead by paratroopers in Belfast almost 50 years ago had allegedly been responsible for murdering 15 British soldiers, the trial of two veterans has heard.
On-the-run Official IRA commander Joe McCann, 24, was killed in the shooting in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
Forty nine years later, two former paratroopers, known as soldiers A and C, have gone on trial for his murder at Belfast Crown Court.
On the opening day of the non-jury trial, a prosecution lawyer told judge Mr Justice O’Hara the veterans had not been legally justified in opening fire on Mr McCann as he ran away from them.