Sinn Fein: UK trying to make soldiers '˜immune' from law

Prime Minister Theresa May announced yesterday that the UK is opting out of parts of human rights law for soldiers fighting in conflicts overseas.

However, DUP MP Gregory Campbell attacked Mr McGuinness, saying that his remarks serve to highlight the difference between his old illegal paramilitary group and the UK military.

“This move signals yet another attempt by the British government to effectively make its military immune from prosecution,” said the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister and ex-IRA commander.

“Michael Fallon talks about the derogation applying to future conflicts, but the question has to be asked whether he actually means future investigations?

“It’s a question I will be putting directly to Theresa May because, if that is the case, it will have profound implications for the prospects of a legacy agreement in the north as it would completely undermine the proposed bodies to deal with our past such as the Historical Investigations Unit.

“The ECHR is a fundamental protection for citizens in conflict situations and when you look at the situation that the British government helped create in places like Iraq, Syria and Libya, it is needed now as much as ever.”

The Sinn Fein MLA said the claim of protecting soldiers from “vexatious” action was a “distraction”.

He added: “This is about protecting them from prosecution and protecting their government from embarrassing and costly cases which expose the illegal actions being carried out in the name of the British people.

“The British government has already been forced to pay out £20 million in 326 cases to date. There’s nothing vexatious about such cases.

“They are obviously cases with substance or compensation wouldn’t have been paid.”

DUP MP Gregory Campbell, however, welcomed Theresa May’s move and criticised the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

He said that many of the soldiers are in “circumstances where they are forced to contemplate legal proceedings being taken out against them on the back of very difficult split-second decisions”.

He added: “For Martin McGuinness to make the statement that he has demonstrates the gulf dividing the terrorist organisation that he used to be a part of and the UK armed forces.”