NI: Military veterans support UK government’s controversial Troubles plan

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement (NIVM) held talks in London about the controversial plans with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis.

The government plan would see all investigations and prosecutions in relation to the Troubles brought to an end. It is opposed by NI political parties as well as victims’ groups.

It would also end all legacy inquests and civil actions.

Robin Horsfall, of NIVM, said he thought the proposals “offer a way forward for those who served in Northern Ireland”.

He said the NIVM was “sensitive to the feelings of the innocent victims of terrorism and the hurt that a statute of limitations will cause them”, but thought “the simple and painful truth is that no terrorists will ever be convicted”.

“That battle was lost with the Good Friday Agreement,” he added.

Mr Horsfall said: “We hope to get to a situation where veterans are left alone to live the last years of their lives in relative peace without being pursued for political reasons.”