Andy Burnham Issued Huge Warning Over Troubles Bill
Andy Burnham has been urged to abandon Labour's Troubles Bill amid warnings soldiers must not face "endless legal jeopardy". A new report by the Policy Exchange think tank, which has been backed by former armed forces minister Al Carns, calls for the proposed law to be ditched over fears it could lead to veterans being hounded for political purposes.
TL;DR
- Policy Exchange think tank, supported by former armed forces minister Al Carns, calls for Labour's Troubles Bill to be abandoned.
- Warnings suggest soldiers must not face "endless legal jeopardy" and that veterans could be "hounded for political purposes."
- The report criticizes the retroactive application of judge-made human rights laws to past conduct.
- Concerns are raised about the negative impact on current military recruitment and the "military covenant."
- Labour peer Lord Maurice Glasman added that veterans are being investigated and prosecuted based on a law that did not exist when they served.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he will take a similar approach to addressing Troubles victims' concerns as he did for the Hillsborough tragedy.
- Labour's Troubles Bill is scheduled to return to Parliament in the autumn.