Protection withdrawn for NI veterans

It’s not a matter of re fighting the troubles MaizieD

It’s to do with a level and equal playing field.

Reversing this amnesty for Service Men but not for the terrorists (or freedom fighters) is anything but equal or level.

GrannyGravy13

It’s not a matter of re fighting the troubles MaizieD

It’s to do with a level and equal playing field.

Reversing this amnesty for Service Men but not for the terrorists (or freedom fighters) is anything but equal or level.

This is the crux of the matter.

MaizieD

Allira

I'm absolutely with keepingquiet and the rule of law applying to everyone on this one

That applies to terrorists too, surely?

One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter. And given the history between Ireland and England the 'freedom fighters' label is very understandable.

As to the amnesties, without them the situation would have dragged on and on and on. There are times when pragmatism is expedient.

I've no intention of refighting the 'Troubles' and I think this wahataboutery is unhelpful.

One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter

In the list is the list of terrorist groups proscribed by the UK Government, including some groups linked to NI and ROI.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/proscribed-terror-groups-or-organisations--2

Are you saying they are, in fact, freedom fighters in your view?

I think the issue here is that there is a web of secrecy still in place today that the British government built around its activities during the conflict in NI.

The truth is slowly emerging that British forces were not all self-sacricing heroes who had the interests of innocent people at heart.

The people who condemn Tony Blair for giving in to terrorism and enabling covering up some of the IRA practices should remember that behind the scenes it was Thatcher who was sitting down with them and doing deals which the public may still be unaware of.

There is hypocrisy and subterfuge on both sides and we can expect some damning revelations coming out now we are on safer ground.

We know nothing about Northern Ireland unless we lived there and through it at that time. Having said this it seems folly to have a blanket removal of protection for serving armed forces. Northern Ireland is a very sensitive subject as it is, but this decision baffles me.

Having read as much as I can, it looks like immunity has been withdrawn for all parties involved, ie including former terrorist/freedom fighter people as well as veterans

but people are demanding that veterans have their protection returned.

I feel we need to be really really clear about the facts here and I am hoping someone who really does know their stuff comes in

but

it looks like the O/P assertion that somehow veterans are the only ones being "picked on" is entirely inaccurate and emotionally provocative

if it does prove to be the case that all parties involved in the conflict then cannot claim immunity from certain crimes then it becomes an ^entirely different matter to then try and put back protection for veterans -ie asking for a privilege others do not have.

LadyGracie

I am beyond angry. DH did 6 tours of NI during the troubles.

Complete amnesty for terrorists and now we have Starmer allowing his lawyer friends to make money prosecuting those serving their country.

Shame on all those who think this is right.

Absolutely Lady Grace it’s disgusting that this blooming Labour government would even consider doing this while those murdering terrorists were given amnesty. Unbelievable!!!!

I,m sure we all remember the civilians shot in the back by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Not all soldiers are good people ,in fact a fair number join up because they get to handle guns.Iknow one or two who are evil wee shits,and they walked away from crimes in civvy street because they had been soldiers
Including the animal who almost killed my daughter .
Don’t tell me there are no bad men in the forces,I can prove you wrong!

Ok, I have found the facts out. Please listen up and stop working from inaccurate information.

Veterans have not been picked upon and terrorist left out The bar to prosecution was for both.

"As of January 2026, the UK government has moved to lift the controversial amnesty provisions for both terrorists and soldiers involved in Northern Ireland Troubles-related offences, enabling potential prosecutions and civil claims.
Here is the breakdown of the situation based on recent developments:

Removal of Conditional Immunity (January 2026): MPs voted on January 21, 2026, in favor of a remedial order to remove the "conditional immunity" scheme introduced by the previous Conservative government's 2023 Legacy Act. This scheme previously allowed immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related crimes if individuals cooperated with a truth recovery body (the ICRIR).

Targeted Both Sides The removal of these protections applies to anyone accused of crimes during the Troubles, including both former paramilitaries (terrorists) and members of the armed forces (soldiers).

Protections for Veterans The Government has stated that while the immunity is lifted, new legislation will include "six workable protections" to ensure veterans are treated fairly and not subjected to "endless legal uncertainty".

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=has+the+amnesty+in+Northern+ireland+for+terrorists+and+soldiers+been+ifted+for+both+to+enable+proseuctions&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

So to repeat the O/P only refers to the veterans but in failing to say that ALL involved can now be prosecuted it gives the impression that veterans are being picked upon. They are not

so the statements in both pages 1 and 2 by several posters about why are the terrorists not also targeted are inaccurate and I believe the O/P to have deliberately set out to stir anger without giving adequate information.

I do agree its valid to discuss whether we think the veterans should get their protection or a degree of it returned, but lets do that with full facts in front of us.

Thankyou Wyllow.

Thank you Wyllow

LadyGracie

I am beyond angry. DH did 6 tours of NI during the troubles.

Complete amnesty for terrorists and now we have Starmer allowing his lawyer friends to make money prosecuting those serving their country.

Shame on all those who think this is right.

My brother in law was in NI during the troubles, he has never settled since, terrorists get off scot free, soldiers are the victims in these trials. They are provoked beyond endurance and discipline breaks down, they are human like the rest of us.

Thank you Wyllow for the posting the full facts.

GrannyGravy13

Thank you Wyllow for the posting the full facts.

Perhaps some posters should have read them before jumping to inaccurate, emotive posts.

Basgetti that would spoil the fun though.

Basgetti

GrannyGravy13

Thank you Wyllow for the posting the full facts.

Perhaps some posters should have read them before jumping to inaccurate, emotive posts.

I was responding the OP.

Not all of us have the time to research and double check the information given to us in the OP 🤷‍♀️

I thanked Wyllow for doing so.

As all have had the amnesty withdrawn it is now an equal and level playing field, which in my opinion is fair.

As all have had the amnesty withdrawn it is now an equal and level playing field, which in my opinion is fair.

I agree.

Thank you Wyllow.

However, not many of us on here know how stressful and terrifying it could be to be placed in these situations, when it is a case of them or us whose lives are on the line or whether terrorists might injure or kill members of the public, including children.
Walk a mile in their boots.

Allira exactly, it’s extremely easy to be so wise having not been there and after the event 👍

GrannyGravy13

Allira exactly, it’s extremely easy to be so wise having not been there and after the event 👍

Are we forgetting the bombs, the terror, on mainland Britain too?
A friend narrowly missed a bomb on the Underground by barely a minute. The Warrington bombings in which two children were killed and many people badly injured?
So many other bombings bringing terror to our lives for over 20 years.

Defence is different from violent attacks like this.

Allira

GrannyGravy13

Allira exactly, it’s extremely easy to be so wise having not been there and after the event 👍

Are we forgetting the bombs, the terror, on mainland Britain too?
A friend narrowly missed a bomb on the Underground by barely a minute. The Warrington bombings in which two children were killed and many people badly injured?
So many other bombings bringing terror to our lives for over 20 years.

Defence is different from violent attacks like this.

I was working minutes away from The Tower of London when it was bombed.

They were frightening times, far too much unnecessary violence and killings by the terrorists.

Allira

^As all have had the amnesty withdrawn it is now an equal and level playing field, which in my opinion is fair.^

I agree.

Thank you Wyllow.

However, not many of us on here know how stressful and terrifying it could be to be placed in these situations, when it is a case of them or us whose lives are on the line or whether terrorists might injure or kill members of the public, including children.
Walk a mile in their boots.

But you have to be able to control yourself or know when you can't. As an example my husband was a qualified firearms officer, didn't normally carry firearms but could if needed. He was at the scene of an IRA bombing, he pulled bodies out in bits, young dead people. When parties were put together to search known IRA houses he refused to have a gun issued as he feared he might lose control. I'm sorry but for me a uniform does not mean it is ok to commit crimes/attrocities and be that army or police uniform they should be prosecuted.

There is also the stress of living in an area with a strong army or police presence if you aren't confident they are acting lawfully. So many boots to walk in.

I worked with two police officers who ended up in prison, it is hard and I'm sure they had a rough time inside but like they say if you can't do the time don't do the crime.

The letters of comfort (not amnesty) issued to PIRA activists - responsible for criminal and terrorist actions - were part of a political solution to the troubles. The position of UK soldiers is different. They were actors for the State and states have to abide by the law, hence the possibility of prosecution for acts outside the law. The discrepancy between the two situations is very uncomfortable, especially if prosecutions are being used as political weapons to settle old scores.

I lived through the “troubles” in Belfast. My young adulthood was taken away which is obviously a great pity. I was aware of, but not directly affected by, many bombings but my father was in the Fire Service and he was directly affected. I had encounters with lovely soldiers and with nasty soldiers, men who went out of their way to help me in a difficult situation - I will never forget one in particular - and men who went out of their way to humiliate me - I will never forget one of them in particular. There are good and bad people everywhere. Solidiers are surely trained not to have knee jerk reactions, I don’t think that’s a valid argument. But they didn’t know who they could trust and their living conditions were far from ideal. I am glad to hear that immunity has been removed from all sides. I hope it will bring closure for so many affected, on both sides, much worse than I was.

And the original post only tells half the story. Obvious rage bait. Don't fall for it.