Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has defended Labour’s plans for repealing the NI Legacy Act. This comes despite fierce opposition from military veterans who fear a wave of reopened prosecutions. The controversial law, passed in 2023, halted most Troubles-related investigations. However, Benn argues it must be scrapped to comply with human rights rulings.
Speaking in Parliament, Benn sought to reassure veterans. He noted that just one soldier had been convicted for a Troubles-related death since the Good Friday Agreement. That case resulted in a suspended manslaughter sentence.
Of the 250,000 British troops deployed in Northern Ireland, Benn stressed prosecutions had been “very, very small” in number. Still, protesters fear repealing the NI Legacy Act will restart lengthy investigations, leaving veterans in legal limbo for years.
Hundreds of ex-servicemen gathered at the Cenotaph and Parliament Square, backed by Conservative MPs. Many carried signs reading “No More Witch Hunts” and revved motorbikes in a show of defiance.
David Holmes, an RAF veteran, warned that scrapping the law would trigger “vexatious prosecutions” lasting up to seven years. “Even if cases fail, the process itself is punishment,” he said.
Mick Curtis, 76, who served in Northern Ireland, accused the government of “changing the rules retrospectively.” He argued soldiers had followed lawful orders at the time.
The Legacy Act suspended investigations into Troubles-era killings, including those involving soldiers. This sparked outrage from victims’ families and Northern Irish political parties. Courts later ruled it violated human rights laws, leaving Labour “no choice” but to repeal it.
However, the government has yet to finalize replacement legislation. Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois warned that without safeguards, veterans face “endless reinvestigation.”
The debate pits veterans’ concerns against legal and diplomatic pressures. Benn acknowledged their fears but insisted reform is unavoidable. With emotions running high, the challenge now is finding a solution that delivers justice—without reigniting decades-old wounds.
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