Northern Ireland

Solider immunity plans 'delayed' - but Sinn Féin brand them an 'affront'

Sinn Féin victims spokesperson Linda Dillon. Picture: Arthur Allison, Pacemaker
Sinn Féin victims spokesperson Linda Dillon. Picture: Arthur Allison, Pacemaker Sinn Féin victims spokesperson Linda Dillon. Picture: Arthur Allison, Pacemaker

SINN Féin has described plans to give former soldiers immunity from historic prosecution as "an affront to justice and an insult to grieving families".

The statement comes as it was reported that the proposals had stalled in Downing Street because staff have been diverted to work on Brexit-related issues.

The Guardian reported yesterday that defence secretary Gavin Williamson had been expected to bring forward legislation to stop the armed forces from facing legal action for alleged crimes more than 10 years old.

A source told the paper the legislation had been discussed between the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Office and the Attorney General's Office but had been delayed, "with no official sign-off".

Sinn Féin victims spokesperson and Mid-Ulster MLA Linda Dillon said the legislation clearly showed the intent of the British Government to cover up its crimes in Ireland.

“From Bloody Sunday to the Ballymurphy massacre, Springhill, the New Lodge and in hundreds of other cases, the British Army were responsible for murder and mayhem on our streets," she said.

“Any attempt to absolve them from that is an affront to justice and an insult to grieving families who have spent decades campaigning for the truth.

“It would also be a direct breach of the Stormont House Agreement which was signed up to by both governments and the political parties and provided for the establishment of legacy mechanisms to deal with the past."

Mr Williamson announced last July that he had established a dedicated team within the Ministry of Defence to consider giving ex-soldiers immunity from historic prosecution and to advise on the way forward.

This followed concerns over how Troubles-era prosecutions had been dealt with, amid calls for a statute of limitations.