Give them an inch they'll take a mile

IronGiant

I thought the thread was about Ireland? Iraq abuse is an entirely different topic altogether. Indeed, bringing that up gives the thread a totally different slant for if we are talking about abuses by the British Army generally then they become the "them" which I suspect is not what the OP meant or wished to imply. Obvious really.

Rasczak

That was in the original post, so Sonic's link was confirming the validity of that comment

Sonic67

Well actually it confirms the invalidity of it given it proves that unfairly pursued individuals have both the means and support required to seek redress. But if you and Sonic wish to put the link forward as a means of rejecting the OP's proposal, I accept that is your view.

IronGiant

My link is someone from the forces suing the government over her wrongful arrest from a "witch hunt." If anything, that's giving the balance you want. It shows the government gets it wrong. Assuming she wins her case of course.

Sonic67

It's not my view. I was just pointing out it was more relevant to the thread than Head Teachers salaries

Iain42

Former soldiers to be prosecuted for IRA man's murder - BBC News

Perhaps they might be found guilty, sentenced, then released under the terms of the Good Friday agreement?

Rasczak

^^^^^

Absolutely ridiculous to be going after these soldiers.

Sonic67

Are state actors covered by the Good Friday agreement? As was mentioned earlier, I don't think we have ever agreed to put our armed forces into that bracket. And as you and IronGiant argued yesterday, the individuals have protection and recourse from unjust prosecution.

Sonic67

"The Good Friday Agreement" comment was a jibe. Hope that helps.

Do they have protection and recourse? Do we know what their defence is? Is that just your assumption? They might be penniless and living in a bedsit. They might be throwing their pensions at a defence. One person did bring a case back against the government. One person.

IronGiant

Note the third soldier said nothing and refused to cooperate. Nothing seems to be happening to him. As I said earlier, long time ago, memories fail etc. If there's anything it's down to the prosecution to prove it with evidence.

Ex-para who may face court over IRA man's death slams justice system - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk


Tony Blair's IRA amnesty should also apply to British soldiers | Coffee House

"As Morgan writes, there was no good reason for the deal ‘other than the prime minister’s need to secure his personal legacy with a Northern Ireland deal.’

As the recent rejection by the Columbian people at a referendum on their government’s deal with the Farc guerrillas shows, people who have suffered from terrorism tend to be loathe to see those who participated in terrorism given amnesties.  It is perfectly possible that if Tony Blair’s government had been open with the public about the amnesty letters to the ‘on the runs’ then the public in Northern Ireland would not have approved the Good Friday Agreement.  But that would have been for the people to consider and to decide."