The UK government suggested last year that it would include such a measure in the consultation document, which has now been sent to Northern Ireland’s main political parties for feedback.

At the time, Amnesty International warned that the move would be “an utter betrayal of victims’ fundamental right to justice”.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s Northern Ireland programme director, said: “Any such move by the UK Government would fly in the face of international human rights standards and perpetuate impunity.”

According to reports, the UK government is divided on the idea of a statute of limitations, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson concerned about the lack of legal protection for military veterans.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which supports the government in the House of Commons under a confidence and supply arrangement, has said it continues to support such a measure.

The consultation document will likely be published within days with the support of Northern Ireland’s main political parties, BBC News reports.