Give immunity against prosecution to armed forces personel who served in NI.

Armed Forces Personnel who served in Northern Ireland should not be prosecuted for alleged crimes that may have been carried out during the Northern Ireland troubles. The IRA and other illegal organisations have been given immunity by the government of this, OUR country. So should our troops.

During the time of the Northern Ireland troubles (this is actually a euphomism for terrorism and the government, for "PC" reasons, will not class as a war) it is alleged that members of the armed forces acted illegally in carrying out their duties by killing members of these illegal organisations who were carrying out terrorist acts. It is difficult to know whether terrorists are armed or not and split second decisions have to be made as to what action to take when confronted by terrorists.

This Government remains unstinting in our admiration and support for the men and women of the Armed Forces and police whose sacrifice ensured that terrorism would never succeed in Northern Ireland and that its future would only ever be determined by democracy and consent. The overwhelming majority carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity. This Government will never forget the debt of gratitude we owe them.

Criminal investigations and prosecutions are a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities who act independently of government and politicians. The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland has made clear that prosecutions have been brought against a number of individuals - both republican and loyalist - for serious terrorist crimes during the Troubles.

So far as our overall approach to these matters is concerned, the Government believes in the rule of law. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing it is right that this should be investigated and, where the evidence exists, for prosecutions to follow. We do not support amnesties or immunity from prosecution.

Lady Justice Hallett’s report in 2014 into the ‘On The Runs’ scheme made clear that the scheme did not amount to an amnesty or immunity from prosecutions for terrorists. Suspected terrorists were not handed a ‘get out of jail free card.’ If the current government had been presented with a scheme that amounted to an amnesty, we would have stopped it. The report went on to confirm that the scheme was at an end, and that there was no basis for any reliance on letters received by so-called ‘On The Runs’ under the scheme. This was made very clear publicy by the Government in the House of Commons.