Politics

Arlene Foster 'concerned' over security force Troubles amnesty

Arlene Foster has raised concerns about a possible Troubles amnesty
Arlene Foster has raised concerns about a possible Troubles amnesty Arlene Foster has raised concerns about a possible Troubles amnesty

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said she is "concerned" about a possible amnesty for police and soldiers for Troubles-related killings, even though some senior colleagues have supported the move.

Controversial proposals for a statute of limitations which would prevent members of the security forces being prosecuted have been included in a British government consultation on the legacy of the past.

Sinn Féin and the Republic's foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney have strongly objected, with Mr Coveney saying he feared the plan had the "potential to undermine consultation from day one".

The Ulster Unionists have also rejected the idea, amid warnings it would lead to a blanket amnesty for all Troubles offences.

Ms Foster yesterday said the DUP "had not been pushing" for the amnesty.

"There are a lot of Conservative back-benchers who have been expressing concerns about soldiers who served in Northern Ireland who are old men now, and being put under a lot of pressure," she told the BBC.

Although some DUP politicians, including MPs Gavin Robinson and Jeffrey Donaldson, have supported the proposal, Mrs Foster said she was concerned it might stop victims of the Troubles from receiving justice.

"We have to be very careful that you don't end up in a situation where you end up giving an amnesty, by the back door, to people who committed some of the most heinous crimes anywhere," she said.

Amid rallies by army veterans, the House of Commons defence committee, which includes Mr Robinson, backed calls to protect British soldiers earlier this year.

A statute of limitations would forbid prosecutors from charging someone with a crime that was carried out more than a certain number of years ago.