Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has reiterated the Party’s opposition to a Statute of Limitations on the grounds that it would inevitably lead to a wider amnesty for terrorists, a fact accepted by the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“The intervention by the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson MP has focused attention on the question of a Statute of Limitations.
“It has been revealed that in May, as the Government launched its Legacy consultation, Gavin Williamson wrote to the Prime Minister and said that
‘It is clear to me that our veterans need the protection of a statute of limitations in respect of Troubles-related offences.
‘If this means a wider amnesty, so be it’
“I can fully understand why there are those at Westminster - and elsewhere - who wish to protect the veterans who served here. As a veteran of 36 years’ service and counting, let me assure you that nobody is more determined than I am to ensure that fair play is the order of the day. It is precisely because of that very motivation, that the Ulster Unionist Party has consistently warned that a Statute of Limitations is not the way to proceed.
“At least Gavin Williamson is honest enough to admit that a Statute of Limitations will create an amnesty which will apply to terrorists. The effects of this would be to prevent victims receiving justice including many thousands who were victims of terrorism; all the while civil actions against the security forces would continue regardless.
“It is now time for Arlene Foster to clarify the DUP’s position on a Statute of Limitations, because up to now it has been a picture of confusion.
“In one breath Arlene Foster says that a SoL has more support from Conservative backbenchers than it does from Unionists; that she is concerned that it will create an amnesty through the black door; and that it will take away justice for victims of terrorism. Then in stark contrast, Gavin Robinson MP, just a couple of weeks ago during a debate on a SoL at Westminster, committed the DUP to supporting and working towards a SoL.
“At the moment three DUP MPs support a SoL with others either agnostic or silent about it. This is a leadership issue and Arlene Foster should get her MPs back in line on a SoL or else be honest and transparent, and say her own previous comments were not reflective of her party’s policy.
“The reality is the DUP are trying to dig themselves out of the ‘Historical Investigations Unit’ hole they are now in, an HIU which they are the architects of and which has DUP DNA all over it.
“It is time the DUP realised that there are fundamental problems with the HIU and its central role in a legacy deal that is not going to work, is not going to be balanced, proportionate, transparent, fair and equitable and crucially will not give victims justice.
“Even now it is still not too late for them to turn back from both the HIU and the Statute of Limitations and the amnesty for terrorists which it will entail.”