Earlier this month, I voted to advance the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in Parliament, after significant work had been undertaken to amend the bill, strengthening protections for veterans whilst maintaining the framework for families seeking justice to get acknowledgement and answers.
An unprecedented amount of engagement was undertaken with Veterans, campaigners and charities, such as the Royal British Legion, in order for the Bill to be reintroduced to the House of Commons.
156 amendments were tabled by the Government to address concerns from and veterans to ensure justice is achieved without repeated inquests and cold calling. The legislation also clearly recognises that the actions of British soldiers are not equivalent to the actions of terrorists and paramilitaries. Extensive discussions have taken place with Veterans as the bill has progressed, as cited by the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner.
The amendments mean that:
Veterans will have protection from repeated investigations.
That any prosecutions must only proceed with consent from the British Attorney General.
That decision makers will be required to consider operational circumstances that service personnel were acting within.
That safeguards are in place to prevent veterans being compelled to give evidence
Veterans will be further protected against cold calling and unsolicited legal approaches.
The Troubles were undoubtedly one of the darkest periods in our history. Victims and survivors are at the heart of this legislation, and the Bill will offer pathways to justice for families of victims, alongside Veterans and Armed Forces families who lost loved ones in the conflict.
I will continue to follow the Bill’s progression through the House of Lords, and I am always willing to listen to veterans and serving members of the armed forces in Nuneaton about their experiences, issues and concerns.