Ministers urged to use political crisis in Northern Ireland to end probe into British soldiers over killings during the Troubles
MPs call for NI Secretary James Brokenshire to take control of 'grotesquely partisan' investigations into British troops
MINISTERS face calls to use the Northern Ireland government’s collapse to end a “witch hunt” of British troops.
MPs yesterday urged Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to take advantage of the crisis and halt the “grotesquely partisan” and “politically motivated” investigations.
The Sun had revealed all 302 killings by troops during 30 years of conflict in Ulster were being studied by a police unit.
But yesterday MPs insisted the probes were just to appease the Republicans.
The government collapsed when Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness quit as the Assembly’s Deputy First Minister on Monday in a row over a botched energy scheme.
The former IRA commander’s move could trigger an election in weeks.
Under the terms of the power-sharing deal First Minister Arlene Foster, of the DUP, loses her role.
In the Commons yesterday Tory MP Dr Andrew Murrison asked Mr Brokenshire: “Does the Secretary of State share my sadness the unit was set up?”
Former minister Claire Perry warned recruitment to the Armed Forces is being hit by the Police Service of Northern Ireland investigation.
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She said: “Does he agree that this period of uncertainty provides us with an opportunity to set the record straight about what is and is not within the scope of the inquiry?”
Defence committee chairman Dr Julian Lewis demanded Mr Brokenshire give 1,000 former soldiers the same amnesty from prosecution given to IRA suspects.
The minister has insisted he is powerless to intervene in police investigations.
But he yesterday admitted there is “a need for greater proportionality and balance” in the probes into Troubles deaths.