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Nationalists say there should be no amnesty for British soldiers

Tory MPs have urged Theresa May to drop plans to investigate military veterans
Tory MPs have urged Theresa May to drop plans to investigate military veterans Tory MPs have urged Theresa May to drop plans to investigate military veterans

NATIONALISTS last night said the British state "must deliver justice" as Theresa May's government came under pressure to drop plans to investigate Northern Ireland military veterans.

Some conservatives and unionists want British soldiers who served during the Troubles to be given an amnesty.

A Government consultation paper, Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland's Past, was launched in May on how a historic investigation could be carried out.

It is understood that in a letter to Mrs May, 150 Tory MPs and peers say a proposed Historical Investigations Unit - which would examine the past - would put "service and security personnel at an exceptional disadvantage".

Nationalist politicians last night said there should be no amnesty.

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SDLP Policing and Justice spokeswoman Dolores Kelly said those impacted by the Troubles deserve to know the truth.

“The British Government cannot legislate for any amnesty for British armed forces or any other violent perpetrators,” she said.

“Victims and survivors of the Troubles deserve truth and justice.

"The British state and others must deliver that justice.”

Ms Kelly said the British government is aware of its position.

“Any movement on this would be a grave assault on justice and accountability,” she said.

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said the Stormont House Agreement mechanisms need to be implemented.

“No one is above the law, all victims and survivors should have the same access to processes of truth and justice, there can be no immunity or impunity for British forces guilty of crime, collusion and murder in Ireland,” she said.

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said those who break the law should face the consequences but he said he believed the proposals were "skewed against those who had served the state" with a disproportionate focus. The proposed HIU was not "balanced and not fair," he said.

A spokesman for Mrs May said he was not aware whether the prime minister has yet received the letter.

He added: "There is a consultation which has been taking place in relation to this issue.

"The purpose of the consultation was to allow everyone a say on the proposals in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement in relation to legacy and how we best move forward.

"The Government is encouraged that so many people have responded to this important consultation.

"The Government will now consider all the views received and provide a response as soon as we can."

In July, more than 30 Tory MPs supported a backbench proposal for a 20-year time limit on reopening cases involving former members of the armed forces who served in the north.

Earlier this month, a cross-party group of Westminster politicians, including four former secretaries of state, urged current Secretary of State Karen Bradley to draw a line under the past.