SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that plans to introduce an effective amnesty for British Soldiers who committed heinous crimes in the North of Ireland will be opposed at Westminster by a coalition of MPs standing up for the rights of victims and survivors.
It has been speculated that the amnesty plans drafted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson could be unveiled today in the British Queen’s speech to Parliament in London.
Soldier F is facing two murder charges and five of attempted murder over Bloody Sunday in January 1972.
Speaking from Westminster this morning, the Foyle MP said: “This Conservative Government is obsessed with the idea of granting amnesty to soldiers who committed grievous wrongs and heinous crimes in Northern Ireland.
“Not only is it an affront to victims and survivors who lost loved ones at the hands of British Army personnel, any attempt to change the law will grant effective immunity to members of paramilitary organisations who murdered and maimed people in our communities.
“There is nothing vexatious about seeking truth, justice and accountability for those who lost loved ones.
“The threshold for criminal prosecution is itself a check on the exercise of legal powers.
“Those brought before the courts do not face charges on a whim, it’s the result of gathered evidence and a determination by the independent PPS that a prosecution is in the public interest.
“I am sick of the myth that former soldiers are being pursued for nothing – these are serious crimes with a substantial body of evidence.
“Uniform should offer no shield to accountability before the law. The sensitive balance of legacy investigations and institutions should not be offset by headline grabbing promises from a militaristic government.
“The SDLP successfully derailed similar proposals from Peter Hain, backed by Sinn Féin.
“The legacy of our past must be dealt with comprehensively and ethically.
“We will oppose any proposals aimed at erasing the ability of victims and survivors to access truth, justice and accountability,” added Mr Eastwood.
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