No 10 vetoes IRA amnesty

THE Defence Secretary was under fire yesterday for backing pardons for IRA killers as a price to end the witch-hunt of British troops.

Gavin Williamson was slapped down by Downing Street for suggesting republican terrorists should be granted an amnesty in exchange for the same protection to Northern Ireland veterans.

But a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘We cannot countenance a proposal where amnesties would be provided to terrorists. We owe a debt of gratitude to the bravery of the soldiers and police officers who upheld the rule of law and are accountable to it.’

Mr Williamson later took to social media to say: ‘The reality is that I’m prepared to go to any lengths to stop this ridiculous vendetta against former service personnel.’

All 302 killings by troops in the Troubles are being reviewed. Some veterans are now in their 80s.