PM accused of secretly blocking a bid to stop Troubles veterans being investigated
PM is said to be trying to keep power-sharing talks with Sinn Fein alive
THERESA May was accused of secretly blocking a bid to halt thousands of ageing Northern Ireland veterans from being investigated to keep power-sharing talks with Sinn Fein alive.
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt’s new law will end prosecutions for accusations against service personnel more than 10 years old without compelling new evidence.
But troops who served in the 30 years of the Troubles will be exempt from it, leaving them claiming they’ve been “hung out to dry”.
Former MoD boss Gavin Williamson tonight levelled the blame squarely on No10.
Mr Williamson, who was fired as Defence Secretary two weeks ago after a leaking row, revealed he had laboured for months to enforce the protection alongside Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, without any success.
The senior Tory MP told The Sun: “No10 have dragged their heels on all of this because of the sensitivities in Stormont.
“They have clearly moved a little bit, which is a welcome step forward for past and future conflicts abroad.
“But it’s clear to me that much more needs to be done.
“My experience if it is until No10 can be persuaded to move, it will remain very difficult.”
Mr Williamson added: “Every week means the distress for veterans continues, many of whom are now getting old. Why should the later part of their lives be spent dealing with this stress?”
'HUNG OUT TO DRY'
A further new blow for the vets from the 1968-1997 conflict is also imminent, when Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley unveils plans for a major new inquiry into as many as 300 killings by forces personnel in the line of duty.
Ms Bradley will announce the Government is pressing ahead with setting up the Historical Investigations Unit, as well as a new consultation on its size and scope.
Senior Tory MPs with military interests have been briefed in advance that it will be given a £150m budget and last five years, The Sun has also learned.
Republican party Sinn Fein has made it clear it would walk away from new talks to re-establish the Stormont assembly unless the HIU is set up.
Ms Mordaunt also revealed her unhappiness at the Ulster vets exemption.
In her own clash with No10, the Defence Secretary said: “I do think it should cover Northern Ireland.
“This is not about preventing someone who has committed a crime facing justice.
“This is about stopping an industry that surrounds these processes which is not about the pursuit of justice.”
The Sun Says: Troops sellout
SHE has failed on Brexit and on social justice. Now Theresa May looks like she has chosen to appease Sinn Fein instead of doing right by our forces veterans.
Old soldiers are being hounded over disputed actions in the white heat of the Troubles nearly half a century ago.
Instead of leaving them to a comfortable retirement with a nation’s thanks, our Government’s spineless complicity is putting them through hell.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley plans a huge, five-year inquiry by a Historical Investigations Unit into hundreds of killings in the line of duty.
And while new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt rightly wants a ten-year limit on prosecuting ALL troops, the PM herself appears to have capitulated to the IRA’s former political wing and exempted Troubles veterans.
We thought this appalling witch-hunt would die with the demise of shyster Iraq lawyer Phil Shiner. We were wrong.
Mrs May’s replacement must defend those who risked their lives defending us.
Former Army-officer-turned-MP Johnny Mercer went on strike last week until the Government comes up with a solution for the Ulster vets.
He said tonight: “Veterans are not a pawn in political negotiations. This is totally unacceptable.
“They are already done Westminster’s bidding once. I am determined they won’t be doing it again.”
Mr Mercer and a former Army chief vowed to enforce the ten-year exemption for Northern Ireland troops by leading rebellions in the Commons and Lords.
Dubbing it “a major problem that still needs addressing”, General Lord Dannatt said: “If legislation comes in front of the House of Lords, we will lay amendments to include Northern Ireland”.
Former Army sergeant and Iraq hero Trevor Coult MC fumed: “We want to know why soldiers who served in Northern Ireland have been hung out to dry.
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“That’s the real issue today, and nobody seems to be giving the veterans community an answer to that.”
Downing Street insisted that Northern Ireland was a “separate process” from Wednesday’s plan for foreign wars like Iraq and Afghanistan.
The PM’s official spokesman added: “The MoD has been clear there is a process in relation to Northern Ireland and that is something they are feeding into”.
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