Politics
Witch-hunt prosecutions of Northern Ireland veterans are set to be banned
WITCH-HUNT prosecutions into soldiers who served in Northern Ireland are set to be banned under new laws.
Ministers aim to block the trials and adopt a “truth and reconciliation” model instead.
Ministers want to put an end to the witch-hunt of Northern Ireland veterans[/caption]
Government figures believe that the cases are unlikely to result in convictions because some evidence is nearly 50 years old and inadmissible.
The bill is set to be unveiled in the Queen’s Speech.
Any exemption would also apply to ex-IRA members.
It comes as the murder trial of two ex-paratroopers accused of murdering IRA commander Joe McCann collapsed after just six days.
A Whitehall source told The Telegraph: “We have been working extremely hard to deliver on our manifesto commitments in relation to addressing the legacy of the Troubles for both victims and veterans.
The murder trial of two soldiers accused of murdering IRA commander Joe McCann collapsed this week[/caption]
Johnny Mercer will lead a demo in Westminster against the prosecutions this weekend[/caption]
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“Our engagement on our proposals is ongoing.”
The Sun has backed veterans at every turn via our Never Forget Them campaign and Veterans Pledge.
Ex-minister Johnny Mercer will lead a demo in Westminster against the prosecutions this weekend.
