Troubles go on for the troops

Sir, – It is little short of a national disgrace that our government is ensconced yet again in what can only be described as a “witch hunt” of our soldiers (following its refusal of an amnesty for those caught up in the Northern Ireland Troubles).

Having not taken any lessons from the spurious charges laid against our soldiers in Afghanistan and later discharged, attention has turned to the brave troops who fought the IRA.

This was a bloody and ferocious campaign with no quarter given by the IRA, who sought to kill and maim indiscriminately.

In the main and by contrast our soldiers fought under “the Marquis of Queensbury Rules” and discharged their duties with honour and dignity and in horrific circumstances.

Now an amnesty given to IRA members has been refused to British soldiers, and prosecutions are in place, some going back some 40 years.

Our soldiers did not use explosive devices, nor car bombs against civilians, nor threaten teenagers with power drills, nor use kneecapping and other ruthless and indiscriminate methods.

Many terrorists were given pardons when patently found to be guilty.

This is an indictment on a government which would happily choose to appease its past enemies rather than uphold and defend its troops.

One wonders, as these cases proceed, if we will even have an army in the future. For who will serve in the face of such political disloyalty? David L Thomson. Laurence Park, Kinglassie.