Veteran investigations and why history cannot be allowed to repeat itself

Hilary Meredith-Beckham has responded to reports that hundreds of special forces veterans face investigation over incidents in Northern Ireland. At least 190 have contacted MPs, fearing unjust treatment according to The Times.

The government is in the process of repealing an act which banned inquests and offered a conditional amnesty to those suspected of crimes relating to the Troubles, measures aimed at protecting former soldiers.

The Times reports that both serving and former elite troops believe the situation to be so grave they have written a letter to MPs warning that their comrades, many of them in their seventies and eighties, faced being “unjustly hounded” as a result.

Hilary Meredith-Beckham provided evidence to the Select Defence Committee on the Iraq historic abuse cases, which ultimately contributed to the closure of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team.

Commenting on today’s developments, Hilary said:

“I am calling on the Defence Select Committee to launch a formal inquiry into reports that hundreds of special forces veterans face investigation.

“We need to understand why and how so many Northern Ireland veterans are fearing unjust treatment.

“The IHAT investigation, which saw thousands of British soldiers who served in Iraq from 2003 to 2009 falsely accused of brutality and abuses against civilians, was one of the

most shameful episodes in modern legal history. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.”