Labour is treating Troubles veterans ‘worse than terrorists’ with its new law allowing investigations into decades-old incidents in Northern Ireland, according to a commissioner it appointed.
David Johnstone said the new Troubles Bill was ‘imbalanced’ and was ‘eating at the very fabric of the Armed Forces’ amid a major campaign to get it halted.
The Bill will end an immunity scheme introduced in 2023 for former and serving members of the Armed Forces and and restore some inquests related to the conflict in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
A commission to investigate Troubles-related killings is also due to be set up under the much maligned legislation.
In an interview with the Times today Mr Johnstone, 55, as former British Army soldier who was appointed by Northern Ireland secretary just over a year ago, said: ‘Veterans hope and request — and having put their lives on the line — they demand they are not treated worse than terrorists.
‘The current legislation does just that. It treats them worse than terrorists because under the bill they will be exposed to the full force of the law, for in many cases following orders.
‘Whereas in 1998, and the years following, terrorists were allowed out of prison, given pardons, comfort letters.’
He added: ‘It is hard to overplay how serious this is. It is eating at the very fabric of the armed forces and trust in government.’
Sir Keir’s administration aims to replace aspects of the Conservative government’s Legacy Act, which shut down all UK police investigations into Troubles-related killings in May last year.
It also included a contentious conditional offer of immunity for the perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body.
Labour’s Bill was agreed as part of a framework with the Irish Government and will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.
But the SAS Regimental Association, which represents the SAS and its veterans, argued in a letter threatening legal action that it could lead to prosecutions for former soldiers.
The veterans said the Bill as it stands now contains barely any protections for them beyond those that already exist for criminal investigations and inquests.
They said the lack of safeguards could breach veterans’ protections under Article 6 (right to a fair trial), and Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
