Brady - Local Families angered by British Government proposal to end prosecutions

Local MP Mickey Brady has said that the British government has shown its complete disregard for victims of the conflict following this weeks announcement by the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis that they plan to block all criminal prosecutions related to the Troubles.

Mr Brady also said  it was clear  the British government was intent on hiding its role in the conflict and putting its forces beyond the law.

The Newry and Armagh MP said “Families many from this constituency  who have campaigned with dignity and determination have been left angered and hurt by this further attempt by the British government to cover up the truth and put its forces beyond the law.

"Some of these families have been fighting for truth for five decades. They have been forced to take to the streets and to go to the courts in an attempt to find out the truth about the deaths of their loved ones”.

"These proposals are about putting British state forces who killed Irish citizens beyond the law. It is further insult to grieving families.

"This is about the British government simply protecting their own state forces and the policy makers responsible for shoot to kill, state murder and collusion; facilitating impunity and blocking accountability."

Mr Brady continued "Once again the British government has shown its complete disregard for the people of the north, for victims of the conflict, for our peace process and for its agreements.

"It’s clear that the British government’s objective is to end independent investigations, inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases and also prosecutions involving British soldiers already before the courts. 

"Such unilateral proposals are a clear breach of the British government's Stormont House Agreement and their New Decade New Approach commitments. This unilateral approach is opposed by all five main political parties in the north and the Irish government”.

Concluding the MP said "If the current legacy process is to deliver for victims, in a human rights compliant manner, there can be no amnesty or statute of limitation for British state forces or intention to interfere with due legal process in respect of legacy inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases or prosecution cases involving British soldiers already before the courts."