Labour plan to axe protection for soldiers could lead to 'witch hunt' (2024)

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Labour's plan to scrap laws protecting those who served in the Troubles from prosecution could lead to a fresh witch hunt, the veterans minister warned last night.

Johnny Mercer said it was 'morally wrong' to revoke the Legacy Act to make a 'political point'.

Warning that ex-soldiers could be arrested as a result, the furious former Army officer added: 'When you repeal this Act, you'll go back to what was happening before.'

His words were echoed by Northern Ireland veterans who threatened to hold street protests if the Act is scrapped by Labour.

The party has pledged in its manifesto to repeal and replace the legislation designed to end the legal pursuit of British soldiers over incidents that took place decades ago.

It also gives an effective amnesty to IRA and loyalist terrorists who killed thousands, drawing a line under the events of the past.

It was introduced after a series of prosecutions against Northern Ireland veterans, many of whom are now in their 80s and 90s.

Labour voted against the legislation at the time, with Sir Keir Starmer saying many felt 'extremely uncomfortable' that it provides amnesty for all sides, including 'terrorists'. The opposition leader has signalled that prosecutions could restart if he wins the election.

Mr Mercer said yesterday: 'We have provided certainty for veterans whilst ensuring that victims and families have the best opportunity to find out for their loved ones.

'It is beyond my understanding why you would come in to make a purely political point, repeal that Act and prolong the pain for victims, families and veterans simply for your own political gain.'

Asked if veterans could face prosecution in the future, he said: 'When you repeal this Act, you'll go back to what was happening before, so yes.' He cited the case of 'my friend' Dennis Hutchings, 80, from Plymouth, who died while on trial over a fatal shooting during the Troubles.

Mr Mercer said: 'He was taken over to Belfast for questioning. He was put on trial for something that had been investigated six times already. He then died alone in his hotel room in Belfast during that trial.

'If you're telling me that is the way we treat veterans in this country – because it is that process that will restart – I think it's morally wrong.'

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, former paratrooper Robin Horsfall said: 'Starmer's plan to repeal the Legacy Act is a shocking way to treat former soldiers who have put their lives on the line for this country. If Labour win the election and try to repeal this law, that would be unacceptable, and if necessary veterans and their families will take to the streets again to make that clear.'

Paul Young, who served multiple tours of Northern Ireland with the Blues and Royals in the early 1970s, said: 'Former soldiers won't stand by quietly if Labour scrap this law we've fought so hard to get, and I'm certain you'd see massive protests.'

Mass rallies were held around the country in 2019 in protest at the prosecution of British soldiers for incidents dating back to the Troubles. Between August 1969 and July 2007 1,441 military personnel died as a result of operations in Northern Ireland, more than half of them in paramilitary attacks.

It came as a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday appeared in court yesterday for the first time since he was charged. Ex-paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 protesters in Londonderry in January 1972. He is also charged with five attempted murders. At a pre-trial hearing, his lawyers argued that there was an 'insufficiency of evidence' against him.

A Labour spokesman said: 'This is desperate nonsense. The Conservatives' Legacy Act managed to unite just about everyone in Northern Ireland against it.

'It has no support among the political parties in Northern Ireland and key parts of it were recently found by the courts to be unlawful. So it simply cannot work.

Northern IrelandKeir StarmerBelfastLabour