Troops treated like terrorists

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HE’D been a military hero. Serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, he had survived being blown up at least once by the IRA and also served in Iraq. But a decision by this government to launch yet another investigation into killings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland was to prove too much for Eddie Murphy, and he killed himself.

This is as disgraceful as it is tragic.

Mr Murphy, 50, known by colleagues in the military as “Spud”, was one of an increasing number of former soldiers facing distressing inquiries into events that, in some instances, took place more than half a century ago.

Other men who served their country are also preparing to face their ordeals.

It is claimed that statistics now show veterans of the armed forces are 54 times more likely to be prosecuted than terrorists are. The figures came to light as a legal claim was lodged in the High Court accusing ministers of discrimination against ex-soldiers.

It was started by another former soldier, a great-grandfather suffering kidney failure who is set to face trial later this month over a fatal in Northern Ireland in 1974.

The prosecution of Dennis Hutchings, 78, is an embarrassment for the Government, as they had pledged that no new prosecutions would take place over historic allegations unless new evidence had come shooting to light. His legal team have argued

3,264 deaths were caused by terrorists during the Troubles, compared with

361 people killed by British military personnel.

However, while six veterans are facing prosecution, there is only one alleged terrorist facing charges.

According to experts, a new Historical Investigations Unit could take at least three years to set up, might run for more than a decade, and would cost in the region of £300million.

Meanwhile, more than 200 IRA suspects connected to around 295 murder investigations have been exempted from any fear of prosecution for more than 20 years.

That’s courtesy of the hugely controversial “letters of comfort”, which were sent by Tony Blair’s government in 1999.

Blair subsequently justified the letters as being crucial to keep the peace accord on track.

That might very well be so – but shouldn’t the same level of compassion now be extended to our own military?