Sinn Féin say Troubles investigations report is an '˜insult'

The defence select committee has recommended that a “statue of limitations” should be adopted, preventing former members of the military from being pursued for alleged historic crimes.

The report by MPs suggests that ex-personnel be protected from legal action over things which happened “between almost 20 and almost 50 years ago”.

--Read more from the News Letter on the report in the following articles--

Report calls for soldiers not to be pursued over Troubles crimesPursuit of ex-soldiers over Troubles offences ‘denial of natural justice’Troubles investigations report ‘justifiable justice’, says DUP MPSinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly, reacting to the publication of the report, said: “The recommendation of this report by the British parliament’s defence committee that there should be a statute of limitations to prevent former members of the British armed forces being convicted of historic offences is an insult to victims and survivors.”
He added: “There can be no immunity for people who have murdered Irish citizens. Everyone should be equal before the law and no one should be above the law.”

His comments are in stark contrast to those of DUP MP Gavin Robinson, who described the report’s recommendations as “justifiable justice.”

Mr Robinson said: “The last 20 years have been marred by the completely imbalanced treatment of those who terrorised our society; and those brave service personnel who ensured they would never succeed. Early release of prisoners, a maximum two year sentence for fresh terrorist convictions, odious On the Runs legislation and a secretive scheme to issue letters of immunity have all tarnished the balance of justice.

“Today’s report seeks to redress that iniquity.”