Northern Ireland veterans' petition hits 100,000 signatures in less than two weeks
A petition calling on the government to protect Northern Ireland veterans from prosecution has hit 100,000 signatures in under two weeks.
The campaign, launched by a group of veterans, urges Labour not to change legislation in a way that could reopen investigations into the British Army's role during Operation Banner, the UK's longest continuous military deployment, which lasted from 1969 to 2007.
Retired Brigadier Ian Liles, who started the petition, said the milestone means the campaign can now move to the next stage.
"We must now ensure the petition is properly debated in Parliament and that the Government is held accountable to prevent it from abandoning our veterans," he said.
"We cannot allow those who remain to be hounded and persecuted through a 'two-tier' justice system or to appease our enemies."
It follows Labour's plan to repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, brought in by the previous Conservative government.
The act halted future civil cases and inquests relating to the Troubles and offered conditional immunity to those cooperating with a new truth recovery body.
The government has argued that the act is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and is now preparing to scrap it.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois called the petition's success a demonstration of "strong public feeling against Labour's proposals for 'two-tier justice'."
Paul Young, from the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said veterans face "years and years of trauma and victimisation by vindictive legacy lawyers" if the government presses ahead with its plans.
Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone said the response shows "the strength of feeling across our communities on this deeply important issue" and called for a process that is "balanced and fair".
Once a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it is considered for debate in Parliament.
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