James Brokenshire: Killing Inquiries During The Troubles Disproportionately Focus On The Army

The Northern Ireland Secretary says the inquiries into killings during the Troubles are disproportionately focusing on former members of the Armed Forces and police.

Police are re-investigating all deaths from the Troubles. Several ex-soldiers are facing prosecution over the killings which we carried out during the 30-year conflict.

Mr Brokenshire said:

"It is also clear the current focus is disproportionately on those who worked for the state - former members of the Armed Forces and the RUC."

He said the majority of police and the armed forces served

"with great courage, professionalism and distinction".

More than 3,500 people died between 1969 and 1998, of which 302 were killed by members of regular regiments of the British Army.

A London law firm is currently representing between 10 to 15 former soldiers who are facing prosecution. The firm has been told there could be as many as 1,000 soldiers facing prosecution. 

Barra McGrory QC, the director of public prosecutions for NI, recently told the BBC a number of cases have appeared in court due to inquests and referrals from the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. He said:

"We have taken decisions in three Army cases recently, one was not to prosecute and in the other two prosecutions have been initiated."

A UK Government spokesman said:

"This government is fully committed to implementing legacy bodies in the Stormont House Agreement which will ensure a more fair, balanced and proportionate way of addressing the issues of Northern Ireland's past, recognising that 90% of deaths during the Troubles were caused by terrorists."