Labour’s plan to ditch Troubles amnesty branded ‘dangerous’
British soldiers in Northern Ireland in August 1969 - Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone
Labour’s intention to repeal a law that protects Northern Ireland veterans from prosecution has been branded a “dangerous act of vandalism” that threatens the peace.
Paul Young, from the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said he was “shocked and appalled” by Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to axe the Legacy Act.
The landmark legislation, which was passed by the Tories last autumn, offers an amnesty for atrocities committed during the 30 years of the Troubles.
It has been praised by military groups for ending the “witch hunt” of veterans but has been criticised by Northern Irish political parties and Dublin.
In its manifesto, published last week, Labour committed to repealing the act which it said “denies justice to the families and victims of the Troubles”.
Mr Young, a veteran of the Blues and Royals Household Cavalry and a former police officer in Northern Ireland, condemned the move.
Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans' Affairs - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Writing for The Telegraph, he said: “Repealing the Act would be a dangerous act of vandalism to Northern Ireland’s fragile peace.
“It would also be a slap in the face to the brave soldiers who had put their lives on the line to restore order and prevent a civil war in this country.
“I am shocked and appalled that Keir Starmer, someone who wants to be the prime minister, would repeatedly commit to repealing such an important law whilst using veterans to promote his party.
“Should he get the keys to Number 10, Starmer must rethink his position on this law which upholds so much for so many.
“Either he doesn’t understand the veterans’ community, or he just doesn’t care about us. Neither is acceptable.”
Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, said: “Difficult politics requires difficult decisions made by adults who actually believe in something.
“We are on the side of veterans and have backed up our strong words to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran with bold action.
“Keir Starmer, on the other hand, has made it clear he would happily side with his mates in the human rights lobby to continue to make the lives of British veterans and their families a misery, in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
“By threatening to repeal this important Act that will restart prosecutions that have hounded many veterans even until death, Keir Starmer has revealed his disdain for British veterans.”
The Legacy Act has effectively stopped new inquests and civil cases being launched into potential crimes committed during the Troubles era.
Under it perpetrators who come forward to a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will be granted an amnesty.
Prosecuting elderly and frail veterans
Ministers have said this will mean victims, survivors and their families get closure whilst stopping the prosecution of elderly and often frail veterans.
But the legislation was opposed by the two main Northern Irish parties, DUP and Sinn Fein, as well as the Irish government and human rights groups.
They all argue that its conditional amnesty will rob victims of justice, whether they suffered at the hands of the IRA or the British armed forces.
The legislation is also subject to legal challenges, including one from the relatives of a man who was shot dead in a Loyalist attack in 1997.
In February, the High Court in Belfast ruled in relation to that challenge that the immunity was in breach of the European Convention on Human rights.
The UK Government responded to the verdict by saying it would appeal.
Last September, the Irish government also announced it was taking legal advice about lodging a challenge to the law at the European Court of Human Rights.
Joe Biden, the US president who has Irish roots, has also made clear his opposition to the legislation which he said was the Brits “screwing around”.
Sir Keir has repeatedly criticised the Act, saying it was forced through without the support of either the Unionist or Republican communities in Northern Ireland.
The Labour manifesto states: “The Legacy Act denies justice to the families and victims of the Troubles.
“Labour will repeal and replace it, by returning to the principles of the Stormont House Agreement, and seeking support from all communities in Northern Ireland.”
A Labour spokesman said: “The Legacy Act managed to unite just about everyone in Northern Ireland against it. The Conservatives’ Act offers immunity to all, including terrorists.
“It does not have the consent of the political parties and communities in Northern Ireland, and key parts of it were recently found by the courts to be unlawful. It simply cannot work.
“Labour is deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel and veterans for the contribution they make to our country – including those who served with great distinction in protecting the people of Northern Ireland.
“Labour has been clear that we will repeal and replace the Legacy Act – working with all those affected, including the veterans’ community, on a process of reconciliation and a desire for the truth.”
Legacy Act stopped witch hunt of brave veterans
By Paul Young
The NI Legacy Act has drawn a line under one of the most traumatic periods in our country’s history, the Troubles.
It has stopped a witch hunt of brave veterans who can now go about their lives without the fear of prosecution weighing on their minds. It has also helped provide fair routes to justice, getting better outcomes for victims, survivors and their families.
The Act protects soldiers who had been investigated and cleared but were being repeatedly taken to court without new evidence for political gain. Both as a veteran myself and through my work with the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Movement, I have seen the damaging impact on veterans, their families and victims.
Not only is this traumatic for old soldiers who are hauled before the courts, but it enflames the wounds for victims and their families and deepens division in Northern Ireland.
Although it’s been well over 50 years since the Troubles began, its scars are still fresh in the minds of its veterans and its survivors. Repealing the Act would be a dangerous act of vandalism to Northern Ireland’s fragile peace.
It would also be a slap in the face to the brave soldiers who had put their lives on the line to restore order and prevent a civil war in this country. Passing the NI Legacy Act was clearly the right thing to do, despite some vociferous opposition.
Veterans now have peace of mind, because of the NI Legacy Act and the work of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
The dedicated minister for veterans in the Cabinet, who understands what veterans need and is interested in fighting for veteran’s rights, has informed the public of the dire plight of veterans. He has made the veterans’ voices heard loud and clear and it has made a difference.
This Government has been different, and they have made noticeable gains in what it actually feels like to be a veteran in this country. This government promised to deliver legislation to protect veterans who served in Northern Ireland, and they have delivered on that promise despite opposition from other parties.
Veterans are used to hearing meaningless words about how much politicians value the veteran community in election times.
I am shocked and appalled that Keir Starmer, someone who wants to be the prime minister would repeatedly commit to repealing such an important law whilst using veterans to promote his party.
Should he get the keys to No 10, Starmer must rethink his position on this law which upholds so much for so many.
Either he doesn’t understand the veterans’ community, or he just doesn’t care about us. Neither is acceptable.
There are 1.8 million veterans in the UK who have given everything for this country. Protecting us from vexatious litigation should not be a lot to ask. This act must not be repealed.
Paul Young is a veteran of the Blues and Royals Household Cavalry and the senior policy adviser to Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans Original
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