Head Of Armed Forces Pledge Over 'Vexatious Claims' Is Insulting, Says Sinn Fein

Troops on duty during the Troubles in Belfast (Picture: PA).

Sinn Fein has criticised a vow by the new Head of the Armed Forces to stamp on bogus claims against Troubles veterans as "extremely insulting".

Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter praised the "remarkable job" done by the British Army in Northern Ireland and said groundless allegations against soldiers risked undermining the army's fighting spirit.

Speaking at a media briefing at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, he said: "It is right and proper that if our soldiers have done something wrong then they should clearly be investigated. But only if they have done something wrong.

"We need to have standards, we need to have values that people are held against otherwise we will lose the moral high-ground.

"What is fundamentally wrong though is if they're chased by people who are making vexatious claims - and that will not happen on my watch. Absolutely not."

He added: "If you end up with a clutch of vexatious claims then that undermines morale and has the risk of undermining our combat ethos and our fighting spirit.

"I would absolutely stamp on any of that sort of activity."

Sinn Fein Mid Ulster MLA Linda Dillon described his comments as "extremely insulting and hurtful".

She also challenged Sir Nick to meet with families who have made claims over the actions of soldiers.

"I would call on the British Chief of the Defence Staff to provide evidence of any such 'vexatious claims'," Ms Dillon said.

"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.

"During the conflict, state forces operated with impunity and we will resist any attempt to legalise this policy, which constituted an integral aspect of the British government's sustained abuse of the human rights of Irish citizens both during and after the conflict."

In May, the Secretary of State launched a public consultation into the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past.

As part of the consultation, a new Historical Investigations Unit will look at claims against former soldiers of the conflict, as reported by the BBC.

Sir Nick promised that soldiers facing any investigation would be looked after "to the best of our ability". His comments came after his predecessor said he was "deeply uncomfortable" at the prospect of veterans facing investigation for actions which occurred during the Troubles.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, who stepped down as Chief of the Defence Staff in June, said it was a political decision as to whether there should be a statute of limitations on inquiries into past events.

But he made clear that he was concerned at the way such investigations could play out.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood broke ranks with the official Government position when he backed calls for a time limit for investigations.

A consultation document issued by Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley on dealing with the legacy of the Troubles does not include provision for a statute of limitations, to the anger of many Conservative MPs.

But Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has pledged to look at "all options" to protect veterans from legacy investigations amid fears Second World War campaign survivors could be targeted.