Sir Michael Fallon sparks cabinet war by demanding major curbs on Northern Ireland troops ‘witch hunt’
The Defence Secretary broke government ranks today to lash out in public at the fresh probe into all 302 Army killings during the 30 year-long Troubles
THE Defence Secretary has sparked a bitter Cabinet battle by demanding major curbs on a “witch hunt” investigation into Northern Ireland vets.
Sir Michael Fallon broke government ranks today to lash out in public at the fresh probe into all 302 Army killings during the 30 year-long Troubles – revealed by The Sun last week.
He insisted cops’ inquiries must be “not random”, “proportionate”, have a strict time limit, and exempt very old former soldiers.
Revealing his list of demand to MPs, Sir Michael declared: “I am certainly not going to let the Northern Ireland process descend into another witch hunt”.
The MOD chief’s outburst is a major embarrassment for fellow senior Tory, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire.
Mr Brokenshire has repeatedly insisted ministers cannot intervene in the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s jumbo new probe.
It also came after several days of tense conversations between Mr Fallon and Mr Brokenshire’s aides, The Sun can reveal.
Chief of Defence Staff Sir Stuart Peach backed up Sir Michael yesterday by revealing that the potentially paralysing effect of legacy investigations on serving troops’ actions today is a “concern which I share”.
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As many as 1,000 former Ulster vets face being viewed as murder and manslaughter suspects afresh, in an inquiry that could last two decades.
Furious Tory MPs have demanded an end to the police probe, likening it to the Iraq war abuse claims scandal.
But during a grilling by Commons Defence Committee, Mr Fallon said he shared MPs’ worries about the traumatising effect the new police probe could have in ageing vets.
Sir Michael said: “We are now looking at how we can ensure that this process in Northern Ireland is not random, is properly proportionate, that murders by terrorists are also properly investigated.
“And we are looking at the time limits that should apply.
“We are going to ensure that this process does not involve very elderly veterans having to recall exactly what happened 40 or 50 years ago.”
He added: “The Northern Ireland Secretary will be consulting on proposals to ensure that the current series of investigations that have been opened up by the PSNI to ensure that process is better balanced in future”.
Tory MP James Gray – who lead the grilling - said: “I am very reassured by the Defence Secretary’s remarks.
“He gave some very useful undertakings, but we will be watching this very closely to make sure the PSNI do not go down the same track as IHAT.”
Mr Brokenshire refused to comment on Sir Michael’s specific demands tonight.
His Northern Ireland Office officials also refused to confirm he would begin a consultation soon on the PSNI probe, and would not say he agrees to enforcing time limits and exempting the very old.
Instead, in a statement that revealed the tensions between the two Cabinet ministers, a Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: “The Defence Secretary and the Northern Ireland Secretary are completely in agreement that the government must offer any and all support and protection for UK forces allowed under the law.
“The government is wholly committed to finding a lawful, fair, balanced and proportionate way forward for legacy issues in Northern Ireland and to let people have their say.”