Fallon’s bid to halt hounding of veterans

FORMER Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon will pledge today to end the ‘witch-hunt’ of British troops who served in Northern Ireland.

He wants to amend a Bill that sets Northern Ireland’s budget to block money for prosecutions of ex-soldiers.

Up to 1,000 ex-troops – some in their seventies – are potential murder or manslaughter suspects over killings at the height of the IRA terror campaign.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has caused anger by re-examining all 302 Army killings during the Troubles.

One veteran, 77-year-old Dennis Hutchings, is facing attempted murder charges over the fatal shooting of a man he believed to be an IRA suspect in 1974.

Sir Michael said: ‘It is morally wrong that those who served to keep us safe from terrorism should be threatened with imprisonment in respect of allegations made 40 years ago which have already been investigated, while terrorists have been guaranteed immunity.

‘We need to stop hounding our own brave servicemen and women.’