Starmer Assures Anxious Veterans: No Soldier Will Face Unjust Prosecution Under Northern Ireland Legacy Bill

SIR Keir Starmer has promised terrified veterans that no soldier will be unfairly prosecuted under his controversial Northern Ireland Legacy Bill.

over the legislation, warning it will mean soldiers are unfairly dragged through the courts years after they served their country.

Lawyers representing SAS heroes have threatened to take the Government to courtCredit: Getty

But speaking on a trip to the , scrambled to reassure worried veterans.

The said: “I’m absolutely confident that there will be no vexatious prosecutions.

“And that is because the legislation carefully sets out the balance that must be struck, and particular protections for veterans who served, in terms of the approach, the process and the protections we have put in place for them.

“So I am absolutely clear that we have got the right balance in the legislation, and there will not be vexatious prosecutions.”

Under the Bill, a new unit based in the will look at cases, opening the door to possible prosecutions.

Irish Police in the unit will hand evidence to a commission, who will be free to conduct investigations that could lead to prosecutions of either British veterans or terrorists.

The Bill has infuriated serving soldiers and hero vets, who fear being subjected to vexatious claims.

Tory MP David Davis revealed the unprecedented. legal action in in earlier this week.

He said: “I know of no precedent for this in the entire history of the British Army and it reflects how important this is.”

The SAS Regimental Association has written to Secretary Hilary Benn warning of the legal action.

The veterans said in the letter to Mr Benn that they were not reassured by the Government’s promises.

“The Bill contains almost no protections beyond those which already exist in law and guidance relating to the conduct of criminal investigations and inquests generally,” it said.

“If the Bill is enacted in anything like its current state, it will be subject to challenge.”

Sir Keir Starmer has attempted to reassure veterans that they will not be unfairly prosecuted under his Northern Ireland Legacy BillCredit: Reuters