COMMENT

IT IS a travesty of justice.

Decades after a soldier has served his country, along comes a get-richquick lawyer, apparently paid handsomely by the taxpayer, to press allegations of misconduct on the field of battle.

Many allegations are centred on Northern Ireland, where evidence was lost long ago and many witnesses have died.

So too has the context of the time in which our soldiers fought – and it was fighting – against an extremist enemy who indiscriminately bombed and shot men, women and children. Many of these terrorists have received “get out of jail” letters to foster good relations across communities and help them move on.

If the sauce is good for the goose, then it must also be good for the gander. So why are British soldiers being taken to court?

The whole basis of English common law is equity. I’d be happy if the murders of Royal Military Police soldiers in Iraq in 2003 were also investigated and those responsible brought to trial.

Every right-minded Briton would say justice must be done, but we must remember that 40 years ago we had a different set of standards and values.

Of anyone in society, the military knows about a proper “moral compass”.

New fighting men and women deserve to know their political masters will give them lawful orders and defend them against those with a warped motivation.