Armed forces and investigation and prosecution of historical cases

The text of the motion is:

That this House acknowledges the service and sacrifice of the armed forces and police during Operation Banner in Northern Ireland as well as in other theatres of conflict in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan; welcomes the recent decision to close down the Iraq Historical Allegations Team; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that current and future processes for investigating and prosecuting legacy cases, whether in Northern Ireland or elsewhere, are balanced and fair. 

This debate concerns the investigation and prosecution of former members of the armed forces for alleged offences in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. 

The Legacy Investigations Branch (LIB) of the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) is currently reviewing all deaths attributable to the security situation that occurred in Northern Ireland between 1968 and the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement in 1998. 

Any decision by the LIB to prosecute is referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. This is an independent process, without UK Government involvement. 

The DPP for Northern Ireland recently confirmed that investigations into three cases involving former Army personnel had been concluded, and that in two of those cases the decision to prosecute had been taken. The MOD has stated that any member of the military affected by this process will be supported and receive free MOD legal representation.

A debate was held in Westminster Hall on 10 January 2017 on Implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, in which much comment was addressed to the subject of these investigations. The Debate Pack prepared on that occasion, CDP-2017-0008, and the debate itself, will be of interest.