Tory MP on strike over troops charges

THE Conservative MP Johnny Mercer has gone on strike until the Government puts an end to historic prosecutions of service personnel.

The MP for Plymouth Moor View wrote to the Prime Minister last night to tell her he would not vote with the Government until she ended the “macabre spectacle” of elderly veterans being pursued by police investigating events that happened in Northern Ireland decades ago.

Mr Mercer, a former Army officer, said the prosecutions were “personally offensive” to him and “week after week I am consoling people going through this process”.

He wrote: “I will not be voting for any of the Government’s legislative actions outside of Brexit until legislation is brought forward to protect veterans from being repeatedly prosecuted for historical allegations.”

He said he had finally decided to withdraw support for the Government after the whips’ office contacted his former comrades and asked for “dirt” on him. Last month, he said he had been given a “full” apology by the Chief Whip, Julian Smith, for the behaviour of the whips’ office.

The MP’S withdrawal of support shaves another vote from the Prime Minister’s working majority, which already relies on support from the DUP.

Mr Mercer, who was instrumental in persuading the Government to shut down the Iraq Historical Allegations Team in 2017, wrote: “I hoped this was the beginning of change, particularly after your commitments on the matter, but the reality is totally different.”

Last month, Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service announced that a veteran, Soldier B, would face charges for the murder of 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty during the Troubles, and with wounding with intent after Daniel’s cousin Christopher Hegarty, then 17, was also shot.