Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “absolutely confident” the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will not lead to vexatious prosecutions of former soldiers. The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid a threat of legal action from veterans over the planned reforms.
The Government’s proposals, which had their second reading in the House of Commons this week, include setting up a commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery body. However, the SAS Regimental Association claims the Bill lacks protections for former armed service personnel, police officers and security service members who served in operations associated with the Troubles.
Speaking to reporters travelling with him to the G20 summit in South Africa, Starmer said the legislation strikes the right balance. “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,” he said.
Labour’s Bill 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 and included a conditional offer of immunity for perpetrators in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body. The new Bill was agreed as part of a framework with the Irish Government and will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.
The SAS Regimental Association, in a letter threatening legal action, argued the Bill could lead to prosecutions for former soldiers. The veterans said the Bill contains barely any protections beyond those that already exist for criminal investigations and inquests, and that the lack of safeguards could breach 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.
