Keir Starmer has promised former soldiers they won’t face ‘vexatious prosecutions’ amid fears over his reforms to legacy legislation on the Northern Ireland troubles
Keir Starmer has promised former soldiers they won’t face prosecutions amid fears over his reforms to legacy legislation on the Northern Ireland troubles.
The PM sought to calm the row after SAS veterans threatened the Government with legal action over its proposals.
Under Labour’s plans, a commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery will be set up. But critics have raised concerns it could lead to legal cases against veterans.
Speaking to reporters en route to the G20 summit in South Africa, Mr Starmer said: “I’m absolutely confident that there will be no vexatious prosecutions, and that is because the legislation carefully sets out the balance that must be struck, and particular protections for veterans who served, in terms of the approach, the process and the protections we have put in place for them.
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“So I am absolutely clear that we have got the right balance in the legislation, and there will not be vexatious prosecutions.”
The SAS Regimental Association has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in an “unprecedented” move, according to former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis.
He told Prime Minister’s Questions last week that the Government’s overhaul of the law affecting veterans who served in Northern Ireland was affecting recruitment, retention and morale of those still serving in the regiment.
Labour repealed part of the previous Legacy Act, which contained an immunity scheme, after it came into office last year because it was found unlawful by the courts.
All UK police investigations into Troubles-related killings were shut down in May last year under the previous Conservative government’s Legacy Act, and a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery was established.
Labour’s new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, agreed as part of a framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.
The veterans said in the letter to Mr Benn that they were not reassured by the Government’s promises.
“The Bill contains almost no protections beyond those which already exist in law and guidance relating to the conduct of criminal investigations and inquests generally,” it said. “If the Bill is enacted in anything like its current state, it will be subject to challenge.”