A Labour-appointed commissioner has accused the Government of treating veterans “worse than terrorists” over its plans to investigate Troubles-related killings in Northern Ireland.
David Johnstone, who was appointed Northern Ireland’s Veterans Commissioner in 2024, described the proposed Troubles Bill as “imbalanced” and said it is “eating at the very fabric of the armed forces”.
The planned legislation will end an immunity scheme introduced in 2023 and restore some inquests related to the conflict, which spanned from the late 1960s until 1998.
A commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery body will be established under the Bill.
Mr Johnstone, a former Officer in the Royal Irish Regiment, told The Times: “Veterans hope and request — and having put their lives on the line — they demand they are not treated worse than terrorists.
“The current legislation does just that. It treats them worse than terrorists because under the bill they will be exposed to the full force of the law, for in many cases following orders.
“Whereas in 1998, and the years following, terrorists were allowed out of prison, given pardons, comfort letters.
“It is hard to overplay how serious this is. It is eating at the very fabric of the armed forces and trust in government.”
David Johnstone was appointed Northern Ireland’s Veterans Commissioner in 2024
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Labour’s proposed legislation aims to replace aspects of the previous Conservative government’s controversial Legacy Act, which shut down all UK police investigations into Troubles-related killings in May, 2024.
It also included a contentious conditional offer of immunity for the perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body.
Labour’s Bill was agreed as part of a framework with the Irish Government and will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.
But the SAS Regimental Association, which represents the SAS and its veterans, previously argued in a letter threatening legal action that it could lead to prosecutions for former soldiers.
The conflict in Northern Ireland spanned from the late 1960s until 1998
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The veterans said the Bill as it stands now contains barely any protections for them beyond those that already exist for criminal investigations and inquests.
They said the lack of safeguards could breach veterans’ protections under Article 6 (right to a fair trial), and Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
A Government spokesman said: “This Government’s commitment to our Northern Ireland veterans is unshakeable.
“The previous Government’s legacy act was ruled unlawful by the courts and delivered no real protections to veterans in legacy processes.
“The new NI Troubles Bill, and its associated elements, delivers six lawful and deliverable protections, designed in consultation with veterans so the legislation works for them.”