But former soldiers are unimpressed by the PM’s latest attempt to assure them they do not need to worry about ‘vexatious prosecutions’.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has not assuaged SAS concerns (Image: Leon Neal/PA Wire)
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted there will be no “vexatious prosecutions” against anyone who battled terrorists in Northern Ireland as a result of Labour’s Troubles legislation after SAS veterans threatened legal action.
The body that represents the SAS and its veterans has raised strong concerns that those who served in the province could face prosecution as a result of Labour’s decision to repeal a law intended to provide conditional immunity.
But speaking as he travelled to the G20 summit in South Africa, the Prime Minister 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.
“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 said in a statement: “The PM’s comments suggest that he has either been poorly briefed or is determined to accept without question the Northern Ireland Office’s deeply flawed plan. When so many highly experienced, well informed, shrewd and long-term observers conclude with one accord that, regardless of [Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn’s] assertions, the proposed legislation fails to protect veterans then it behoves the PM to sit up and listen.”
It added: “The first duty of government is the defence of the realm. It always has been so and, as the international landscape darkens, it always will be so. How then can our PM endorse a course of action that so obviously and profoundly damages Britain’s defences at a time when they must be strengthened?”
Simon Barry, a former Lieutenant Colonel who served with the Parachute Regiment, was unimpressed by Sir Keir’s assurances.
He said: “The PM and his party may believe this, but the veteran and RUC community do not.”
Mr Barry said the involvement of the Republic of Ireland in the new arrangements “is a betrayal of both the IRA’s victims and our national sovereignty”.
The SAS Regimental Association has written to the Northern Ireland Secretary over the issue and former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis urged Sir Keir to personally intervene during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The Government’s proposals, which received their second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday, will set up a commission to investigate Troubles-related killings. Tories and other critics have raised fears it could lead to legal cases against veterans, with those who served during the years of IRA terrorism hounded for political purposes.
The letter on behalf of the SAS Regimental Association, from the Belfast offices of legal firm Sidley Austin, states: “It is our client’s position that the Bill is manifestly deficient in terms of the protections which it offers to former service personnel, police offices and members of the security services who served on Operation Banner and/or other operations associated with the Troubles.”
It said the lack of safeguards could breach veterans’ protections under the European Convention on Human Rights.
There is deep concern soldiers who served during the Troubles will face prosecution (Image: Kent Gavin)
Shadow defence minister Mark Francois said: “The PM may be an experienced lawyer but he has never been a soldier, so how can he possibly think he knows more about caring for veterans and protecting their interests than eight retired four-star generals, one former Air Chief Marshal and now the SAS Regimental Association, who are threatening him with a judicial review?”
The Conservative legislation banned inquests and civil actions connected to events during the Troubles. At least nine inquests are expected to restart.
The main political parties in Northern Ireland opposed the Tories’ Legacy Act and last year Belfast’s High Court ruled that the measure to grant conditional immunity to anyone who cooperated with a body established to uncover the truth about Troubles-era killings breached the European Convention on Human Rights.
