FURY erupted last night after it emerged that the special unit set up to investigate unsolved Troubles murders may have to lay off staff because of a budget shortfall of just £1.5 million.

Politicians across the board as well as victims' groups were outraged that the team may have to curtail its work.

The Historical Enquiries Team is looking into around 3,000 cases, but vital staff may be stood down until it receives more money in April.

After taking on additional work, the NIO gave the HET an extra £2.2 million in August but has now told the organisation that it will no longer be able to have it, citing its own financial pressures.

Furious DUP Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson said the situation was scandalous and showed there was a hierarchy of victims.

He laid the blame for the problem squarely at the door of the NIO.

The DUP MP said: "The reality is that the Government has funded the Saville Inquiry to the tune of almost £200 million in a case where there are 13 victims, but then we have somewhere in the region of 3,000 unsolved murders and the Government can't find an extra £1.5 million to help the HET fund that work.

"It seems that if you are the relatives of a police officer or soldier or innocent civilian, then you are treated as second class.

"If there is an allegation against the State then it seems there is a bottomless bucket to fund those enquiries, but nothing for other victims.

"The families of those victims would be entitled to ask the Government 'how can you find £200 million for one inquiry into a dozen deaths and you can't find £1.5 million to help the HET investigate thousands of unsolved murders.

"Why is there a hierarchy here where some victims are treated differently from others?'"

SDLP justice spokesman Alex Attwood said the news raised questions about the Government's commitment to dealing with the past.

He said: "This is a disturbing and damaging revelation.

"Coming in the weeks before Eames/Bradley publish their report, this news is hard to fathom and explain.

"Eames/Bradley will need to have at its heart disclosure about the past by the illegal terror groups, the police, the Army and the security services.

"Yet, at the same time, the NIO does not fund the HET to continue its work and fulfil its obligations on disclosure.

"This is inconsistent. This will cause real anxiety among the many families, from all backgrounds, that have gone to the HET to address issues from the past."

The Commission for Victims and Survivors said it is also extremely concerned at the shortfall.

Commissioner Patricia MacBride said: "We are primarily concerned that this will create a situation where victims and survivors who have engaged in this process in good faith will now be left in limbo, not knowing the status of investigations and that this will potentially re-traumatise families who have already suffered terrible loss.

"That is a cost that is incalculable, with the possibility of creating a further strain on the health budget.

"It also raises concern about the credibility of any future investigative processes and whether they will be sustained by Government," she said.

A statement released by the NIO last night said: "Any extra resources sought by the PSNI for the work of the HET in this financial year have to be judged against the overall challenging financial position.

"Funding issues are currently subject to ongoing discussions involving the PSNI, the Policing Board and the NIO.

"These are taking place in the context of the need for everyone to make decisions on spending priorities within the current economic climate and within the very significant public resources, well in excess of £1.1 billion in this financial year, allocated to the PSNI."

A spokeswoman for the HET said: "In the current environment HET is, like other agencies, facing serious financial pressures.

"We're in discussion with the relevant authorities to work our way through these difficult issues and remain committed to doing our best for the families who are engage with the HET."