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Ex-soldier urges DUP leader to clarify stance on amnesty

Arlene Foster voiced concern that a statute of limitations could see republicans and loyalist paramilitaries escape prosecution for historic offences. Picture by Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire
Arlene Foster voiced concern that a statute of limitations could see republicans and loyalist paramilitaries escape prosecution for historic offences. Picture by Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire Arlene Foster voiced concern that a statute of limitations could see republicans and loyalist paramilitaries escape prosecution for historic offences. Picture by Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire

DUP leader Arlene Foster has been urged to clarify her party's stance on a proposed statute of limitation for British armed forces personnel which fellow unionists believe could lead to a general amnesty.

Ulster Unionist justice spokesman Doug Beattie said DUP MPs were "pushing for a statute of limitation" even though Mrs Foster has previously voiced concern that such a move could see republicans and loyalist paramilitaries escape prosecution for historic offences.

The DUP leader said last year that a statute of limitations could take away "the hope of justice for people who had suffered at the hands of terrorists".

But recently her party's MPs have been speaking in favour of the controversial plan that would see soldiers and police officers escape prosecution.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said he supported the proposal on the basis that "the state has discharged its duty", while his party colleague Emma Little Pengelly said the move was "about protecting those who are honourable and who went out to serve and protect".

Strangford MP Jim Shannon has also endorsed the proposal, however, legal advice provided to Westminster's defence select committee states that a statute of limitation could not be restricted to soldiers and would have to apply to all those involved in the Troubles.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted the DUP will not support an amnesty.

"We make no apology, however, for wishing to end the unfair persecution of security force personnel who, having been investigated and cleared, can find themselves hauled before the courts years or even decades later," he said.

But former soldier Mr Beattie said Mrs Foster needed to clarify the DUP's stance "sooner rather than later".

"As it stands, we have three DUP MPs – Gavin Robinson, Emma Little Pengelly and Jim Shannon - pressing ahead with a statute of limitation at Westminster, which runs counter to what Arlene Foster herself said a few months ago," he said.

The Upper Bann MLA said his party's legal advice echoed that provided to the defence select committee.

“We cannot support anything which resembles an amnesty which would give terrorists equivalence with those who stood between the terrorists and the terrorised – our brave security forces," he said.

"Arlene Foster needs to make clear where the DUP are on this – has she changed her mind or are her MPs defying her instructions?”