· Under-Secretary of State admits legacy investigations have been disproportionate
· Future approach to legacy must be balanced
Ulster Unionist MP, Tom Elliott has welcomed the acceptance by Under-Secretary of State Kris Hopkins, that the approach to legacy issues has not been proportionate to date.
Mr Elliott questioned Mr Hopkins during a debate in Westminster Hall on legacy issues.
The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP said:
“I congratulate Henry Bellingham MP, for bringing this debate today.
“From the contributions made by Members it was clear that there is a lot of anger across the house that legacy investigations have unduly focused on the security forces, given that 90 percent of deaths during the Troubles were caused by terrorist groups, not the state.
“In my intervention, I noted that there is clearly a lack of proportionality given that not one police officer is currently investigating the 1987 Poppy Day bomb in Enniskillen committed by IRA terrorists, which claimed the lives of 12 people, a heinous crime which no-one has ever been convicted of.
“In response, the Under-Secretary of State Kris Hopkins admitted that legacy investigations have not been proportionate.
“While this was encouraging, we now must see real action from the UK Government to ensure the imbalance to date is addressed.”
ENDS