We should never forget that 90per cent of killings during the Troubles were carried out by terrorists

Without the heroic contribution, and in so many cases sacrifice, of our Armed Forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, there would be no peace process in Northern Ireland.

They displayed courage and restraint, often in testing circumstances. As a result, Northern Ireland’s future will only ever be determined by democracy and consent. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

So I fully understand the concerns over the treatment of veterans in what some see as the apparently disproportionate focus on their actions rather than those of the terrorists.

It’s important to be clear. The current treatment is happening under current systems – all of which are devolved and over which the UK Government has no direct control. This is why the Government is consulting on alternative proposals to address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past from the Stormont House Agreement.

Those charged with looking at unsolved killings in the Troubles – including murders of soldiers – would be under legal obligations to act in ways that are fair, balanced and proportionate. The aim is to complete their work in five years. Unlike today, their overwhelming focus would be on killings by terrorists.

This Government will resist any attempt to rewrite the history of the Troubles to justify terrorism. We should never forget that 90per cent of the killings were carried out by terrorists and just 10per cent by those acting on behalf of the state – almost all of the latter lawfully. For most of the Troubles the role of the Armed Forces was to support the police in upholding the rule of law. It was not a war or an armed conflict, and to suggest as much risks legitimising the actions of those who would wish to portray it as such.

I know some people believe the terrorists already have amnesties. This is not true. Under the 1998 Agreement terrorist prisoners were released early, but only on licence.

Where these have been breached, they are subject to recall to serve their full sentences. Since 1998, a number of people have been convicted of terrorist offences during the Troubles. On Labour’s so-called “on-the-run” scheme, whatever its shortcomings, it never amounted to an amnesty or immunity from prosecution.

This Government stated in Parliament in 2014 that the scheme had ended and that if any recipient of a letter is suspected of involvement in any crime, they will be investigated. If the evidence is sufficient to warrant prosecution they will be prosecuted.

Some have called for a statute of limitations for veterans, but we believe that is not legally possible without extending it to the terrorists – something this Government could not support.

This Government wants to do the right thing by our brave veterans and ensure that they have all the support they deserve.

In addition, we want to provide better outcomes for the victims and survivors of terrorism, many of whom still want to see justice done.

That is the spirit in which the Government is consulting – and we want everyone to have their say.