Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Protecting Veterans from Prosecution

Wednesday 21 July 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions aim to expedite legislation for protecting veterans from prosecution.
  • The Stormont House agreement sets a statute of limitations on 40,000 crimes, excluding murder.
  • An information-recovery process is crucial for ensuring truth and accountability.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The MP noted ongoing concerns about veterans facing potential prosecution for actions taken during the troubles in Northern Ireland. He highlighted recent court discharges of elderly and vulnerable veterans but emphasized that many still face the threat of prosecution.

Question

I welcome the decision of the courts to discharge many elderly and vulnerable veterans who were accused of crimes in Northern Ireland, however, many still face the threat of prosecution 50 years after the event. Will my right hon Friend expedite discussions and bring forward legislation urgently to protect these veterans?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We want to get legislation brought forward, working intensively across parties and with partners in Northern Ireland to deliver reconciliation and information recovery for Northern Ireland. We aim to end the cycle of investigations for our veterans who served with great honour and risked their lives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or legislative measures were not provided, only a commitment to work towards legislation.

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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The MP noted the immense hurt and tears shed by victims in the wake of a statement made last week regarding Northern Ireland. He highlighted concerns about retraumatisation, the glorification of atrocities, and lack of justice.

Question

I trust that the Secretary of State is aware of the immense hurt, volume of tears shed, and retraumatised victims in the wake of his statement last week, raising fears that terrorists or former terrorists will go out and almost glorify some of the atrocities they committed with no sanction. How does he respond to these concerns?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The Stormont House agreement created a statute of limitations on 40,000 crimes excluding murder. We need to ensure no moral equivalence between those who harmed others and those who risked their lives to protect others. An information-recovery process is crucial for truth and accountability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the fear of glorification or lack of justice, focused on existing agreements and moral equivalence instead.

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Q3 Stephen Farry
Justice & Courts Veterans
Context

The MP noted ongoing concerns about the impact of recent statements on victims in Northern Ireland, including retraumatisation and fears that justice may be undermined.

Question

I trust that the Secretary of State is aware of the immense hurt, volume of tears shed, and retraumatised victims in the wake of his statement last week, raising fears that terrorists or former terrorists will go out and almost glorify some of the atrocities they committed with no sanction. How does he respond to these concerns?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We need to ensure no moral equivalence between those who harmed others and those who risked their lives to protect others. The information-recovery process is crucial for truth and accountability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the fear of glorification or lack of justice, focused on existing agreements and moral equivalence instead.

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