Soldiers could face prison in new Ulster witch-hunt
NORTHERN Ireland veterans, some in their 70s, face the risk of prosecution after a Uturn by ministers yesterday.
They have abandoned the idea of an amnesty for former soldiers after objections from Sinn Fein, the DUP and families of the 3,500 killed during the Troubles.
The decision sparked accusations of betrayal from veterans and MPs. It has also caused a Cabinet split, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson telling Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley former soldiers now face a ‘witch-hunt’ unless she reverses her decision.
Hundreds of British troops who served in Iraq were hounded over their actions on the battlefield a decade ago. Their ordeal prompted former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon to secure agreement last October on a ‘statute of limitations’. This upper age limit for prosecutions would have led to an effective amnesty for Northern Ireland veterans too.
But it has been blocked by Sinn Fein and the DUP, which fears it could protect IRA killers. Sir Michael said: ‘Dropping the statute of limitations opens the door to yet another
witch-hunt in which our troops, not the IRA, will be investigated about events 30 or 40 years ago.
‘We should have learnt the lessons from the botched Iraq inquiry... we shouldn’t reopen cases that have already been investigated. It’s wholly unfair to treat soldiers doing their duty on a level with terrorists who were trying to kill them.’
Two former British paratroopers, who cannot be identified, are already set to stand trial for the murder of an official IRA commander in Belfast 46 years ago. Another veteran, Dennis Hutchings, 77, has been charged with attempted murder over the death of a man with learning difficulties in 1974.
Supporters now fear charges could be brought against more troops.
Mr Hutchings said veterans had been ‘abandoned’ by ministers.
He added: ‘It is an absolutely disgusting decision. Nobody is standing up for the veterans – we are being abandoned. The Government should be ashamed.
‘We risked our lives on the streets of Northern Ireland to tackle terrorism and now we are being hounded and thrown to the wolves nearly half a century afterwards.’
Ministers agreed in 2014 that a new Historical Allegations Unit would look at unsolved cases and claims of abuse from the past.
But although 90 per cent of the killings in Northern Ireland were carried out by terrorists, inquiries so far have focused exclusively on the role of British forces.
Mrs Bradley acknowledged the need to end the ‘disproportionate’ focus on British troops and provide more support for veterans who say they have been hung out to dry.
She also proposed a five-year limit on investigations. But the decision to allow soldiers to face renewed claims dating back decades sparked fury.
Mr Williamson rounded on Mrs Bradley during a stormy Cabinet meeting yesterday. An ally of his last night said he had warned ministers it was hypocritical to praise the work of the Armed Forces in fighting terrorism but then allow them to be pursued for decades.
‘Gavin expressed grave concerns that this would lead to a new witch-hunt against Northern Ireland veterans,’ the source said. ‘You could end up seeing old soldiers in their 70s and 80s dragged through the courts.
‘He pointed out that people around the Cabinet table were very happy to praise the work of the Armed Forces in defending this country and fighting terrorism, but those same people were contemplating whether to now pursue those same people over incidents that took place decades ago.
‘Without a lot more protection for veterans this is going to end up being an appalling situation for those soldiers who did their duty in Northern Ireland.’
A Cabinet source said Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox had also raised ‘serious concerns’ about proposals that could see dozens of veterans dragged in front of new inquiries. Whitehall sources insisted ministers were committed to ensuring the maximum protection for former soldiers.
One source expressed surprise at Mr Williamson’s intervention, saying he had raised no concerns when the policy was circulated among ministers last month.
Allies of Mrs Bradley hit back last night, saying her proposals would help end the ‘disproportionate’ focus of existing historical inquiries on the activities of British forces rather than Republican terrorists.
One ally suggested Mr Williamson had failed to understand the level of opposition to an amnesty in Northern Ireland – and warned that any such move would also have to apply to dozens of IRA killers. ‘What Gavin Williamson doesn’t realise is how toxic the idea of an amnesty is in Northern Ireland,’ the source said.
‘If you want an amnesty you have to accept that there are many terrorists who will not be investigated.’
The ally also said the ‘overwhelming majority’ of an estimated 240 cases involving former British officials was unlikely to go any further. The consultation will be left open to allow people to propose an amnesty, but one source said there was ‘no support’ for the idea in Northern Ireland.
Chelsea Pensioner David Griffin, who has been hounded over his role in a firefight in Northern Ireland, said he felt ‘absolutely and completely betrayed’. He added: ‘It has been 36 years now. I have been saying either charge me or clear me and take this cloud from above my head.’
Johnny Mercer, a Tory member of the Commons defence committee, said of the decision: ‘It’s insane and a total loss of moral compass.’
IRA terrorists will also face investigation as part of the new probes. But a number were pardoned in the 1998 Good Friday peace deal.
Others were given ‘letters of comfort’ by then prime minister Tony Blair guaranteeing they would never be prosecuted.