Starmer says he would scrap law protecting NI veterans from prosecution

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to scrap laws protecting Northern Ireland veterans from prosecution.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Greater Manchester, the Labour leader committed to repealing the controversial Legacy Act, which gives immunity to hundreds of soldiers involved in the Troubles.

The Tories claimed Sir Keir’s opposition to the law showed he was paying “nothing but lip service” to veterans, as they warned that repealing the Act would see ex-soldiers “hauled before the courts” and delay justice for families.

But Sir Keir said it had been a “mistake” for Westminster to pass the legislation in the first place, arguing that many feel “extremely uncomfortable” that it provides amnesty for all sides, including “terrorists”.

Labour voted against the law when it was going through Parliament, and last year Sir Keir signalled that prosecutions could restart if he won the keys to Number 10.

Asked on Monday whether he still wanted to overturn the legislation, he said: “I am committed to repealing it, and I will tell you why. I worked in Northern Ireland for five years, working as part of the Good Friday Agreement to establish the Police Service of Northern Ireland and to ensure that that police service had the confidence of all communities. 

“And that was a very successful piece of work, never complete in Northern Ireland, but a hugely important part of our history which is very important to me in terms of my journey. 

“In relation to that legislation, for a government in Westminster to pass legislation which has the support of no political party in Northern Ireland and no community in Northern [Ireland] is in my view a mistake, particularly based on my experience in Northern Ireland.

“I would actually dispute that across the armed services that they are all against repealing the legislation because it provides an amnesty for all sides, including the terrorists and I know that many people feel extremely uncomfortable about that.”

It means hundreds of ex-British military and police officers could face prosecutions over historical crimes, including murder if Labour wins the next election.

The Legacy Act, which was passed last year, offers an amnesty for atrocities committed during Northern Ireland’s 30 years of conflict. It was opposed by the DUP and Sinn Fein, as well as the government in Dublin, rights groups and all the other political parties on the island of Ireland.

Victims’ organisations had warned that the legislation would let murderers off the hook and described it as “the biggest abuse of human rights and the justice system in the history of the United Kingdom”.

Sir Keir was pressed on the subject after delivering a keynote speech on Labour’s defence policy, in which he rejected Tory claims that the UK would be less safe under his leadership.

Prior to the speech, Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, tweeted: “Keir Starmer’s words are nothing but lip service to veterans.

“In 2023 Starmer called to repeal the NI Legacy Bill. Labour voted against the Bill. Repealing the Legacy Act would see veterans hauled before the courts and delay families getting answers and justice.”

Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, said: “Look the Northern Ireland Veterans in the eye and tell them you will restart their prosecutions. Because that is what you are promising to do.”

Sir Keir also confirmed that he would be prepared to push the nuclear button if necessary and said his shadow cabinet was behind his commitment to renewing Trident, Britain’s nuclear deterrent, despite Angela Rayner, his deputy, and David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, previously voting against it.

He said: “We have changed the Labour Party. I know full well that national security, defence of our country is the number one issue. That is why I voted to renew the deterrent. And that’s why I’ve been absolutely clear on this. I lead from the front, I’ve always led from the front.”

Asked whether he would authorise the firing of nuclear weapons, Sir Keir said: “Nobody who aspires to be prime minister would set out the circumstances in which it would be used. That would be irresponsible, but it is there as part of a vital part of our defence, so of course we would have to be prepared to use it.”