Northern Ireland: Legacy of the Troubles

Lord Astor of Hever Excerpts

Wednesday 5th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Astor of Hever (Con)]

My Lords, in an article in the Daily Telegraph last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary said:

“This Government wants to do the right thing by our brave veterans and ensure that they have all the support they deserve”,


so I hope she will do what she can, by whatever means, to prevent ex-servicemen being hauled through the court in their old age, having previously been investigated and cleared of any wrongdoing, particularly when there is a perception that terrorists are being treated more favourably than former soldiers.

When I served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the article of faith was that if we did the right thing and followed the rules of engagement, the system would always back us up. This was essential in inspiring confidence—often a soldier had only a split second to make a decision, as was faced by Corporal Major “H”, who was mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt. The Government sent me and others to Northern Ireland to support the police in upholding the rule of law in mostly very difficult circumstances. In the interests of justice and even-handedness, I do not believe that the Government can now wash their hands of the responsibility for what is happening to those who were their soldiers. I very much support what my noble friend Lord King said about reconciliation.