Troubles veterans fear fresh witch hunt as PM set to amend Legacy Act

VETERANS fear a new witch-hunt of Northern Ireland soldiers after Labour set out plans to repeal legal protections.

- By Conor Wilson

They could see former service personnel subjected to "two-tier" justice as they are put in the dock while terrorists go free.

The Prime Minister vowed in his election manifesto to amend the Legacy Act introduced by the Conservative government over concerns it breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Act shut down all historical inquests and prevented new civil cases from being brought against soldiers in Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1998.

Ambush

However, a campaign group representing eight members of the IRA killed in an ambush by the SAS at Loughgall in 1987 said it had received an "unequivocal commitment" from Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn that an inquest will happen.

It raises the possibility that criminal action could follow if it finds an unlawful killing verdict in addition to civil actions against the soldiers.