A statute of limitations for security force members was always going to be legally questionable, and in a thundering speech yesterday the chairman of the Police Federation ruled out such a move having the support of officers.
There have been no police officers prosecuted with legacy offences, although there are ongoing investigations.
But while several high-profile figures such as Attorney General John Larkin and former DPP Barra McGrory have questioned the viability of continuing criminal investigations, Mr Lindsay rejected special measures for any side.
To a standing ovation, he also branded any definition that would place RUC officers and members of paramilitary groups on an equal footing "a shameful act of betrayal".
"Our colleagues did what was right" he said, adding that they should not be sacrificed for "political expediency".
There was also strong language yesterday for the Police Ombudsman.
Dr Michael Maguire was not present to hear his office being slated, with Mr Lindsay claiming relations between the officers' union and police watchdog "have never been worse".
There is clearly a degree of anger among members in relation to the watchdog's scrutiny methods over current investigations, and that is unlikely to thaw during the remainder of the current ombudsman's tenure.
However, it was his comments in relation to the proposed statute of limitations that will cause many to reflect, for those who have stood up in Westminster and proposed an amnesty for officers might want to first consult those they claim to speak for when they next feel the need to comment on Northern Ireland's troubled past.
