Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis will make a statement to the British parliament today dealing with legacy issues from the Troubles.
The British Government’s proposal involves a statute of limitations that would end all prosecutions related to the Troubles prior to 1998.
The plan, which has been sharply criticised by the The Irish Government, the five main political parties in the North and victims groups, is seen as a response to a demand by MPs to address the issue of prosecution of British army veterans.
Critics have called it a de facto amnesty that could render British soldiers vulnerable to prosecution at the International Criminal Court
It’s also been suggested such a move would contravene the Stormont House Agreement on legacy which has yet to be implemented.
That agreement included provision for an independent historical investigations unit to take forward inquiries into outstanding Troubles-related deaths
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has also said they’re concerned Downing Street is also considering ending Troubles linked inquests and civil cases.
The British Government says it’ hopes to pass the necessary legislation in the autumn
So far, there has only been one meeting involving party leaders on the issue.
Stephen Travers is a survivor of the 1975 Miami Showband Massacre which killed three people near Newry.
He believes the British Government know they face multiple battles in court, following the precedence set by the Ballymurphy Massacre earlier this year………..
