Former Army chief urges veterans to lobby for changes to NI Troubles Bill
A former head of the Army says he is set to meet both the Defence Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary in the coming weeks to lobby for changes to be made to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
General Sir Peter Wall, who was Chief of the General Staff from 2010 to 2014, told BFBS Forces News the meeting would be an important moment to speak to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration.
"It creates a new opportunity," he said. "You might get somebody who's prepared to listen a bit harder."
An opportunity to put the case to Streeting
"We are being given an audience by the Defence Secretary and the Northern Ireland Secretary in the next few weeks for ourselves, our organisation, as well as some regimental associations to go and see ministers and put our case in person – which we greatly appreciate.
"But we're not going to be stroked – we want to see the results."
If passed, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill would replace the 2023 Legacy Act that was introduced by the previous Conservative government.
It offered conditional immunity for perpetrators of some Troubles crimes in exchange for cooperation with a new body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which would oversee investigations.
The new bill has faced widespread concern from across the defence community about it leaving veterans open to vexatious litigation.
New evidence – or just a rehash?
Gen Sir Peter is calling for several amendments to the bill.
"One, ascertain whether there is any new evidence – and if there isn't there's no reason for people to be put back in court," he explained.
"Two, the way in which that question of whether there's new evidence or not is assessed should be independent of the Northern Ireland judiciary.
"It should be done from the mainland by very senior lawyers up to and possibly including the Attorney General."
He added: "It's about ensuring that there's an independent view taken as to whether this evidence is new and substantive – or whether it's just rehashing old stuff that's already been through the courts."
Court process branded brutal
Gen Sir Peter described the experience of veterans who've faced action in the courts so far as "brutal".
"Frankly people who hadn't had a soldiering background would have caved in long before," he said.
"There's a fundamental pride here. Some people have put themselves through this to clear their names and have died in the process."
He has helped launch the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign alongside fellow former CGS General Sir Nick Parker.
It's urging veterans and the defence community to contact their local MP to raise their concerns.
He said: "Shoulder to Shoulder is a micro website with a very singular purpose which enables veterans and veterans families to write to their MP with a templated letter which alerts their MP to the challenges of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill."
A Government spokesperson said:
"Our commitment to our service personnel and veterans is unshakable, and that will be clear in the forthcoming amendments package to the Troubles Bill, which builds on already existing protections, including safeguards from cold calling.
"This means that no veteran will face a knock on their door, and there will be protection from repeat investigations.
"The Troubles Bill will pave the way for all families in their search for the truth of what happened to their loved ones."
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