Fears of a "witch-hunt" of former British troops who served in Northern Ireland has prompted a Cabinet divide on the establishment of an historical investigations unit. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has been told not to establish a team to look into deaths related to The Troubles without protections for ex-soldiers.The establishment of the unit is required as part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, but senior Tories fear for the impact on those British servicemen who served in Northern Ireland decades ago.Ms Bradley was cautioned by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday against a "witch hunt" of ex-soldiers, a source confirmed to Sky News.It was widely reported a number of other Cabinet ministers backed Mr Williamson's stance.His predecessor, Sir Michael Fallon, fought in Government to stop prosecutions against soldiers over allegations relating to The Troubles.Introducing a time limit for investigations would effectively provide an amnesty … [Read more...] about Cabinet divide over ‘witch hunt’ of British troops in Northern Ireland
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Cabinet clash over bid to continue probe into Northern Ireland veterans for another five years
CABINET ministers have fought a bitter bust up over a bid to continue a ‘witch hunt’ into ageing Northern Ireland vets for at least five more years. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley laid out the controversial plan during a meeting of the PM’s top table yesterday. Under it, a new investigation unit will be set up to deepen the police probe into all 302 killings by troops during 30 years of Ulster’s Troubles. The work is estimated to last five years minimum, and draw in thousands of vets as suspects and witnesses - despite many now being in their 60s and 70s and already found innocent. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson lashed out against Ms Bradley during the tense No10 meeting, and demanded an amnesty and protections for the ageing ex-troops instead. He was joined in the assault by a powerful trio of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox – a former defence boss - and ex-SAS reservist Brexit Secretary David Davis. A … [Read more...] about Cabinet clash over bid to continue probe into Northern Ireland veterans for another five years
Cabinet split over Northern Ireland veterans as minister refuses amnesty for Troubles troops
British troops will be denied amnesty from prosecution for deaths during the Troubles under Government proposals that have caused a Cabinet-level split. A consultation document being drawn up by the Northern Ireland Office on how to handle legacy killings will rule out protection for Armed Forces veterans. Campaigners had wanted a statute of limitations imposed that would have ruled out what they believe is an alleged ‘witch hunt’ against veterans who now fear prosecution for deaths committed almost 50 years ago. Two former British paratroopers, who cannot be identified, are already to stand trial for the murder of an official IRA commander in Belfast 46 years ago while another veteran Dennis... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article per week Register for free … [Read more...] about Cabinet split over Northern Ireland veterans as minister refuses amnesty for Troubles troops
Arlene Foster: Sinn Fein trying to impose Irish language on everyone in Northern Ireland
0 Comments Arlene Foster: Sinn Fein trying to impose Irish language on everyone in Northern Ireland BelfastTelegraph.co.uk DUP leader Arlene Foster has said that Sinn Fein are insisting on imposing the Irish language on everyone in Northern Ireland https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/article36786333.ece/16ef0/AUTOCROP/h342/2018-04-09_new_39946080_I1.JPG Email DUP leader Arlene Foster has said that Sinn Fein are insisting on imposing the Irish language on everyone in Northern Ireland Mrs Foster was speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Saturday morning. In a wide-ranging interview Mrs Foster discussed Brexit, her party's confidence and supply deal with the Conservative government and attempts to restore power-sharing at Stormont. Mrs Foster rejected Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald's recent use of the term "Londonderry" as a gesture to the unionist community. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said the party should make a real gesture to … [Read more...] about Arlene Foster: Sinn Fein trying to impose Irish language on everyone in Northern Ireland
Race against time to salvage historic footage of forgotten Northern Ireland internment camp
0 Comments Race against time to salvage historic footage of forgotten Northern Ireland internment camp BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Remarkable newsreel footage of hundreds of republicans caged behind huge fences in a Co Down internment camp has been unearthed among a veritable treasure trove of forgotten glimpses into the troubled world of Ireland nearly 100 years ago. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/archive/race-against-time-to-salvage-historic-footage-of-forgotten-northern-ireland-internment-camp-36867700.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/article36867692.ece/66bd1/AUTOCROP/h342/2018-05-03_lif_40624318_I1.JPG Email Remarkable newsreel footage of hundreds of republicans caged behind huge fences in a Co Down internment camp has been unearthed among a veritable treasure trove of forgotten glimpses into the troubled world of Ireland nearly 100 years ago. The images of the internees at Ballykinler in 1920, along with film of Belfast riots, Dublin guerrilla … [Read more...] about Race against time to salvage historic footage of forgotten Northern Ireland internment camp