Protection withdrawn for NI veterans

I am with you all the way, Lady G. It is an absolute abomination and wrong on so many levels.

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.

theworriedwell

The law abiding aren't being threatened with prosecution are they? Do law abiding soldiers and their families really want the rogues protected?

Simply this.

I am a great supporter of our servicemen and women and we have having to listen to the dreadful word of Trump minimising or wiping out the bravery of our people over there.

That does not mean to say that amongst the many good, there will always be some bad apples.

Why should they not be held to account? Surely it's a matter of pride to keep the reputation of our forces clean, responsible

Why are people so angry we may need to prosecute those few remaining bad apples

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.

Greyduster

I am beyond incensed at this. When I read it I was close to tears. Most of the people who are quick to condemn these men - who are now very elderly - as my husband would have been had he still been alive - have absolutely no idea what it was like to serve on the streets of Belfast and Londonderry. Perhaps if they had been there in 1972, it may have changed their view but I doubt it because that view is blinkered and they only see one side. We lost good friends then. My husband nearly lost his life. Labour should be bloody well ashamed.

Bloody ashamed is right! But then I think I have given up on Starmer and this government anyway.🤬

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

That applies to terrorists too, surely?

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

The long history of English involvement with Ireland is a brutal one and it shouldn't be perpetuated in this day and age.

To think we have a threads condemning unlawful state brutality in the US yet we're defending it here...

Quite simple: money-hungry Human Rights lawyers. See Starmer.
Witness appointment of Richard Hermer KC elevated to the Lords in order to become Attorney General for this Labour Government.
Member of Matrix Chambers, founding member Cherie Blair.
Accusations against British Troops, sent to protect the Irish people, were investigated thoroughly at the time and later.
Many of the people involved have since died, but apparently 'hearsay evidence ' will now be allowed.
Contrast this with the secret 'comfort' letters approved by T.Blair in order to gain the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
And people wonder why the Armed Forces have difficulty in recruitment.

One of the first laws passed by 'things can only get better' Tony Blair, was to take capital punishment for terrorist off the statutes
I do agree with that, but no punishment at all is the other extreme.

Smileless2012

100's of convicted terrorists and paramilitaries were released as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

I agree Greyduster that Labour should be bloody well ashamed.

They were.

One law for murderous terrorists, another for veterans trying to keep some semblance of peace and order on the streets.

Listening to several podcasts on this issue the British state were ruthless and discriminatory in their handling of the 'Troubles.'
I was sickened and appalled to listen to the stories such as Steak-life; a man who was protected by the state despite his truly appalling crimes.

Smileless2012

100's of convicted terrorists and paramilitaries were released as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

I agree Greyduster that Labour should be bloody well ashamed.

This post makes sense.

One of the first laws passed by 'things can only get better' Tony Blair, was to take capital punishment for terrorist off the statutes

I always wondered why this was considered a priority.

One wonders, on reflection does KS actually work on behalf of this country?

The law abiding aren't being threatened with prosecution are they? Do law abiding soldiers and their families really want the rogues protected?

Greyduster

So they give a complete amnesty to members of the IRA - wipe their slate clean - and continue to persecute our veterans? That will certainly bring comfort to the wife and children of the bomb disposal officer who was blown into so many pieces that his coffin had to be filled with sandbags won’t it? I don’t think so!

I don’t intend to say anymore. I am shaking with anger.

Yes!

Amnesty for the trouble makers, but those under orders of H M Government open to prosecution…

Uniform should not be a protection for criminals. Just like police officers get prosecuted for murder and rape so should soldiers if they have done wrong. I would have thought decent law abiding soldiers would want the bad element dealt with.

So they give a complete amnesty to members of the IRA - wipe their slate clean - and continue to persecute our veterans? That will certainly bring comfort to the wife and children of the bomb disposal officer who was blown into so many pieces that his coffin had to be filled with sandbags won’t it? I don’t think so!

I don’t intend to say anymore. I am shaking with anger.

I think we need information as regards the individuals and the offences they are alleged to have committed and the circumstances in which it happened before rushing into condemn.

Why pretend all soldiers were somehow saintly? Most were good and true and devoted, but as in all groups of people, some were not, and took advantage of their uniform.

If we have genuine cases of rape or murder up before the court I believe they should be considered.

100's of convicted terrorists and paramilitaries were released as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

I agree Greyduster that Labour should be bloody well ashamed.

Initiated not intimated of course above.

Greyduster, I'm not being quick to condemn "these men" as I don't know what crimes they have alleged to have committed.

If - and only if - the crime was really, really serious and intimated by an off duty soldier not as part of his job, then the family of the victim do have a right to justice, How can you honestly defend them if this is the case?

I am beyond incensed at this. When I read it I was close to tears. Most of the people who are quick to condemn these men - who are now very elderly - as my husband would have been had he still been alive - have absolutely no idea what it was like to serve on the streets of Belfast and Londonderry. Perhaps if they had been there in 1972, it may have changed their view but I doubt it because that view is blinkered and they only see one side. We lost good friends then. My husband nearly lost his life. Labour should be bloody well ashamed.

Snap, Welbeck. More information needed,

and - since wrongs that have been done by soldiers anywhere else

are accountable the law,

why should NI vets who have actually committed major offences be any different any longer from all our serving and past soldiers

I don't know enough about it.
Is this for criminal or civil liability.
If wrongs have been done should not victims have recourse to law ?

I am lost for words…