The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has welcomed comments by the Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon MP, whilst appearing before the Commons Defence sub-committee.

Doug Beattie MC said:

“Yesterday’s comments by the Defence Secretary will be welcomed by all those who oppose the disproportionate time, effort and resources being used to investigate State forces, whilst terrorists - both Republican and Loyalist - walk about without fear of investigation.

“I said last week that the Government owes a duty to the soldiers it deployed in Northern Ireland and that it cannot walk away from its responsibilities.

“I also said that some people clearly need to be reminded that there is absolutely no equivalence between the lawful forces of the State on the one hand, and the terror gangs who created anarchy on the other. It is utterly shameful that there are those who seek to focus on the State forces who were involved in 10 per cent of the deaths that occurred during the Troubles, whilst seeking to ignore or minimise the actions of the terrorist groups who were responsible for 90 per cent of deaths.

“I therefore welcome yesterday’s comments from the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, who said:

'we are now looking at how we can ensure that this process in Northern Ireland is not random, that it is properly proportionate – in other words that murders by terrorists are fully investigated if there are to be investigations into any deaths at the hands of our service personnel.'

'I am certainly not going to let the Northern Ireland process descend into a witch hunt.'

“This pledge will provide some comfort to the men and women who served with bravery and distinction in the RUC and Army during the Troubles. Anyone who breaks the law should answer to the law but that must be done in a fair and proportionate way. That has certainly not been the public perception up to this point.”