Shameful witch-hunt

ON a dark, violent night, a young woman is shot dead on a British street.

Murderous thugs wearing paramilitary masks taunt the police. Supine politicians wring their hands. A month since 29-yearold journalist Lyra McKee was gunned down in Londonderry, the authorities have failed to catch the dissident New IRA killer.

Contrast this shameful inaction with the boundless enthusiasm for hounding retired British soldiers who risked their lives fighting terrorism during the Troubles.

More than two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, police are still investigating every Army killing in Ulster.

This week, new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt vowed to bring down the curtain on the reprehensible witch-hunt. Weasel words! For today, the Mail reveals secret Government plans to continue inquiries.

Ex-servicemen, many in their 70s, will fear a knock at the door from the Orwelliansounding Historical Investigations Unit and being hauled to court on old charges.

Pursuing them while IRA terrorists – who murdered hundreds of civilians – sleep soundly after being given immunity by Tony Blair is a monstrous travesty of justice.

Politicians pontificate grandly about the military covenant – the promise that in return for their sacrifice troops will be cared for when their service ends.

Yet away from the cameras, they treat our veterans disgracefully.