Ex-met chiefs’ concern at Troubles inquiries
Former Met chiefs express concerns over continued investigations into Northern Ireland veterans
Two retired Metropolitan Police commissioners have intervened to cast doubt on the need for criminal inquiries into soldiers over incidents during the Troubles that happened up to 50 years ago. The former police chiefs have questioned why resources are being spent on investigating veterans. The intervention of Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington and Sir Paul Stephenson will add to pressure on the Government to scrap investigations into troops who served in Northern Ireland.
TWO former Metropolitan Police commissioners have cast doubt on the need for criminal inquiries into soldiers over incidents during the Troubles.
The retired police chiefs have questioned why resources are being spent on investigating veterans for events that happened up to 50 years ago.
The unprecedented intervention of Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington and Sir Paul Stephenson will add to pressure on the Government to scrap investigations into troops who served in Northern Ireland.
The Daily Telegraph disclosed yesterday how a 76-year-old former paratrooper remains under investigation for attempted murder over two men injured by flying debris during the Bloody Sunday protest in 1972.
Sergeant O – whose identity cannot be disclosed – is accused of firing bullets that struck concrete, which in turn may have hit two protesters.
The widower last night called upon Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, to find a way to protect former soldiers from investigation and prosecution. A proposed statute of limitations for the military has been ruled out by the Northern Ireland Office under pressure from both Sinn Féin and the DUP, which is propping up Theresa May’s Government. Hundreds of former servicemen face criminal investigations over suspicious deaths during the Troubles under a proposed new legacy unit that will also examine unsolved murders by paramilitary groups.
Yesterday, Lord Stevens, who headed Scotland Yard for four years until 2004, said: “It is a waste of resources, especially at these times when crime is going through the roof. Some hard decisions have to be made sooner or later.
“Given the circumstances of the case [against Sergeant O] and 46 years on, there has to be a line drawn on these issues. Now is the time to draw the line.”
Sir Paul, who was the Met Commissioner between 2009 and 2011, said: “I cannot comment on the details of the [Sergeant O] case. However, one has to express concern regarding historic investigations of this nature, including the balance, the propriety and the proportionality. These are cases almost 50 years old. Historical cases of this nature present unique problems. But today’s problems also present unique challenges, which also demand resources.”
Sergeant O, who was interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder more than two years ago but is still waiting to find out if he will be charged, pleaded for Mr Williamson to intervene.
The ex-paratrooper, who received overwhelming messages of support after yesterday’s interview with The Telegraph, said: “Gavin Williamson needs to say what he is going to do about this and then just do it.
“He needs to tell Theresa May what he is going to do. She can’t do it; she’s up to her ears in Brexit.”
Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, condemned the treatment of Sergeant O and pledged to raise his plight – and that of other veterans – in a House of Lords debate in September when parliament reconvenes. He said: “It is quite extraordinary that police and prosecutors in Northern Ireland feel it right to open this case up again.”
Ministers have said that they are doing all they can to ensure that veterans of the Northern Ireland conflict are fairly treated and said a consultation would improve the “flawed” system.
A Government spokesman said: “It is only due to the courageous efforts of our security forces that we have the relative peace and stability that Northern Ireland enjoys today.
“We are now consulting on new legacy institutions to replace the current flawed processes and ensure that there is no unfair and disproportionate focus on former members of the Armed Forces and police officers.”