Politics

Furious MPs slam ‘rancid IRA deal’ that’ll see thousands of Ulster veterans probed again


FURIOUS MPs have accused ministers of cutting “a rancid backstairs deal” with the IRA that will see thousands of Ulster veterans re-investigated for years.

Anger spiralled yesterday over the Government’s plan for a £150m new probe into all 300 fatal shootings by military personnel during the Troubles.

 Ministers have been accused of cutting a 'rancid' deal with the IRA that will see thousands of Ulster veterans investigated again

AFP – Getty

Ministers have been accused of cutting a ‘rancid’ deal with the IRA that will see thousands of Ulster veterans investigated again

Ministers were hauled to the Commons to explain the bid – revealed by The Sun yesterday – to set up the new inquiry, dubbed the Historical Investigations Unit.

Downing Street also this week refused to include ex-Northern Ireland troops in a new amnesty for legacy prosecutions 10 after the event.

Former defence minister Mark Francois accused the Government of “scapegoating of our veterans to pander to terrorists”.

Re-establishing the Stormont government cannot be at the price of “selling Corporal Johnny Atkins down the river”, he insisted.

Amid emotional scenes in the Commons, Bosnia hero and former Army colonel Bob Stewart revealed the new probes would mean he would have betrayed two of his own former soldiers, who he promised in 1978 that they would not face another gruelling re investigation.

Tory MP Colonel Stewart demanded: “How the hell can our Government allow such people to be possibly investigated again”.

Ex-Guardsman Sir Mike Penning said: “How on earth have we got into this position where we won’t defend our own soldiers because of some technicality that we were not on operations?

“We were. I will not have terrorists put into the same breath as British soldiers.”

And Sir Henry Bellingham fumed: “No other country in the world would treat their veterans in this way”.

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley was accused of running scared from Parliament by despatching her deputy John Penrose to face the onslaught.

The minister promised to confirm the plan which was still being worked on “as soon as we can”.

Mr Penrose also insisted: “There will be no rancid political deals under my watch. That is not acceptable. If we are asking people to put their lives on the line, we must do the right thing by then”.

Bloody Sunday families give statement after court rules one British soldier is to be charged and a further 16 are cleared

 





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