There is ‘no doubt’ that Britain must protect troops, says Irish republican criticising Labour’s Troubles bill
Prosecuting veterans undermines the United Kingdom’s security, a former Irish Republican Army (IRA) member has said.
Danny Morrison, a former Sinn Féin publicity director, made the remarks in a documentary regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill before Parliament.
The legislation, which was drawn up by Labour, would repeal parts of the Conservatives’ 2023 Legacy Act, which shielded soldiers from prosecution.
Campaigners fear the new act will expose hundreds of elderly Northern Ireland veterans, some of whom are in their 70s and 80s, to vexatious legal cases.
A battle has ensued between former defence chiefs who are campaigning for changes to the bill – which they have described as a “national security threat” – and the Government, which said the previous immunity protections offered under the Tories’ legislation were “illegal”.
‘Endless spiral of lawfare’
Retired special forces commanders said Labour’s bill, without radical changes, could lead to an “endless spiral of lawfare cases against veterans, who will be hounded by money-hungry law firms for decades to come”.
Continue @ Daily Telegraph.
Seems a very odd thing for a professed Republican to say. What is really going on here, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteI think what he was saying was that it is the logic of the British state rather than him actually supporting that logic. I think he is right - from their own selfish strategic interest, to resurrect an old contentious phrase, it is imperative for the British state to protect its own operatives.
DeleteBut you would imagine the same would apply to Provisional leaders - yet they are prepared to support a system that would prosecute republicans, have them tried in non jury British courts and cast into British jails if convicted.
I refuse to support that. As a result I feel no combatant should be prosecuted. If the war is over we should still not be taking prisoners.