Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones has criticised the Labour Party after its Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary called for UK veterans to be treated equally to terrorists.
Ms Jones reacted with anger on behalf of Brecon and Radnorshire’s veterans after Labour MP Peter Kyle told MPs: “I want to make sure that the rights of victims and veterans equals the rights of terrorists and people who committed crime during The Troubles.” Mr Kyle and Ms Jones were taking part in the debate on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
The Bill proposes replacing police investigations and court cases with an information recovery body. That body would offer immunity to people who co-operate with information reports for victims' families. It follows a model successful implemented in South Africa following the end of Apartheid.
The Bill covers an issue which Ms Jones has campaigned on for some time, after meeting with a number of Northern Ireland veterans who live in Brecon and Radnorshire.
Ms Jones, who visited Belfast to learn more about the issue with the Northern Ireland Affairs select committee, voted for the Bill and urged Ministers to press ahead with the plans. Labour and Liberal Democrat members voted against the Bill.
Ms Jones has met with a number of constituents who served during the Troubles, who say politically motivated lawyers have continued to pursue them with no evidence. Ms Jones expressed her gratitude that this Bill will “provide a space for truth – giving closure that the families of terrorist victims badly deserve and ending the fear for former British soldiers who have been frightened of opening the post for decades.”
She added “The Government has fulfilled its manifesto commitment to address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past through providing better outcomes for victims, survivors and their families. Veterans now have the protection they deserve, and Northern Ireland can look forward to the future it deserves”
“Mr Kyle’s comments are simply outrageous. There is absolutely no equivalence whatsoever with British soldiers who were sent there to put themselves in harms way and political terrorists. He should urgently apologise to every veteran in this country.
It is staggering that Labour and the Liberal Democrats should add insult to injury by voting against this Bill. Voting for it would have sent a signal that they are on the side of British veterans but voting it down is a clear signal of who wants to back British veterans, and who doesn’t.
I will always be a passionate supporter of the UK Armed Forces. Having already secured a Welsh Veterans Commissioner and secured the future of Brecon Barracks, I will do everything in my power to ensure this legislation becomes law as soon as possible.”
Notes: View the Hansard contribution by Peter Kyle on Tuesday 24 May 2022: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-05-24/debates/9A7C93DC-8187-…- CA602DA2BB39/NorthernIrelandTroubles(LegacyAndReconciliation)Bill#contribution-40A5BEAFB011-4E18-9A1C-8D495339AD1