General Sir Nick Carter, who was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in March, told journalists in Lincolnshire that it “will not happen on my watch”.

His comments have sparked a strong reaction from Northern Ireland political parties, who have struggled to reach agreement on major political issues including legacy mechanisms.

Linda Dillon, legacy spokesperson for Sinn Féin, challenged Gen Sir Nick to “provide evidence of any such vexatious claims”.

She added: “These comments are extremely insulting and will provide further hurt to families and victims of the conflict some of whom have waited over 40 years for closure by way of an Article 2 investigation or inquest or the timely provision of disclosure in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of their loved ones.”

However, Doug Beattie, justice spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party, said he welcomed Gen Sir Nick’s comments and launched a strong attack on Northern Ireland lawyers.

Mr Beattie told BBC News that there is a “politically-driven cottage industry of well-funded and self-proclaimed human rights groups and lawyers determined to rewrite history and blame the State, not the terrorists for the Troubles”.

The UK government launched a consultation in May on legacy matters related to the Troubles, which is still running until 10 September 2018.

It includes proposals to implement the four new legacy institutions set out in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and the government’s manifesto for Northern Ireland 2017.

It does not include controversial proposals for a statute of limitations for prosecuting ex-soldiers, as had been suggested last year.