Latest news with #OperationBanner
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Ex-Tory minister urges Labour to drop repealing of Northern Ireland Legacy Act
The Government should halt any legislation that could lead to prosecutions of British armed forces veterans for their service in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a former Tory cabinet member has said. Sir David Davis said the attempts to put veterans through the legal system for their actions while serving in Northern Ireland was a 'rewriting of history'. He said it could jeopardise the Ministry of Defence's plans to increase recruitment and retention of personnel. The former Brexit secretary said the Government's repealing of the Legacy Act could lead to people being tried for events that happened decades ago. During a debate in the Commons on Armed Forces Day, Sir David said: 'There's a shadow that hangs over our armed forces, a political and legal vendetta targeting the veterans of Northern Ireland of Operation Banner. 'These men answered their country's call at one of our country's darkest hours. 'Without hesitation they stood between the innocent and the terrorists, often literally, often in the way of the bullet, and now, decades later, they're treated not as heroes but as suspects. 'The frankly inadequately informed inquest over the SAS IRA conflict at Clonoe was just once incident in which elderly veterans are being persecuted, and there will be many more.' He added: 'This campaign of persecution sends a chilling message to the next generation. Serve your country, risk your life and face prosecution in your old age. 'Why would any young man or woman sign up for that? The truth is, many will not.' The Government has started the process of repealing the Legacy Act, introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2023, after it was subject to legal action by Troubles' victims families. Part of the Act's measures include shutting down all historical inquests, which examine incidents from the Troubles where suspected IRA members were killed. An inquest this year in Northern Ireland found soldiers' use of force in Clonoe in February 1992, where four IRA terrorists were shot dead, was excessive and no attempts were made to arrest them. The men were killed minutes after they carried out a machine gun attack on a Royal Ulster Constabulary station. Veterans and military charities are concerned that the repeal of the law could allow soldiers to be charged decades after military operations. Sir David was joined in his calls by shadow defence minister Mark Francois, who said it would 'reopen the endless cycle of investigation and re-investigation'. Sir David told the debate that 722 British soldiers were killed during the Troubles. As part of the Good Friday Agreement, about 400 prisoners were released while serving sentences in connection with the activities of paramilitary groups. 'I don't blame the state for that, it was necessary at the time,' he said. 'But today we witness a legal crusade against the men who risked everything in the service of peace. This is not justice. 'It's an attempt to rewrite history. It's prosecution driven by politics, not facts. While the killers walk free, authorities hound soldiers who stop them from killing and treat those soldiers like criminals.' Mr Francois said the Labour Government would find it difficult to justify its policy. He said: 'Many of those surviving veterans are now in their 70s or even their 80s, and I suspect that many Labour MPs opposite would find it extremely difficult to explain to those veterans and their loved ones why they are taking this action, just because their Government is literally obsessed with the Human Rights Act 1998.' Sir David agreed, telling the Commons: 'Our veterans, now in their 70s or even later, deserve peace in their retirement, not a knock on the door and questions about battles that they fought to defend the public half a lifetime ago.' He warned that it could inadvertently lead to soldiers being more reluctant to engage the enemy, or using at-distance munitions. He said: 'I have no doubt that from time to time, mistakes are made, and these of course should be answered for. 'But if we allow our opponents to use lawfare to destroy these capabilities, we are left with blunt instruments. The bomb, the missile, the drone. 'So instead of capturing or killing just the guilty, we kill every innocent civilian on a bus. Or every guest at a wedding party. 'Our military has been brilliant and doing the opposite. At being targeted, lawful and effective.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
MoD obliged to preserve records relating to Troubles for next 10 years
It is believed to cover some 50,000 documents relating to Operation Banner, and comes after a request by lawyers for the family of a teenage girl killed in Londonderry in 1971. Annette McGavigan, 14, was killed during unrest in Derry on September 6. She was said to have been playing with a friend when she was shot dead. Her family has been campaigning for decades for answers and justice. There is a mural in her memory in the Bogside area of the city. Last year, Northern Ireland's Attorney General Dame Brenda King granted a fresh inquest into Miss McGavigan's death, but that came just before the former Government's Legacy Act deadline which halted all inquests which had not reached their final stages. It also followed a decision by the Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute a former soldier in relation to the teenager's death. Miss McGavigan's family has expressed hope that the current Labour Government will honour the fresh inquests directed by the Attorney General before the cut-off date in April 2024. It is understood that there are some 22 inquests relating to more than 40 deaths in Northern Ireland still outstanding, with some other previously unallocated legacy inquests also due to be honoured. Patricia Coyle, solicitor for Miss McGavigan's family, said they have secured a Preservation Order for the MoD documents for a further period of 10 years to 2035. They wrote to the MoD, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (SSCMS) in April to request an extension of an existing Preservation Order for all MoD Operation Banner documents dating from August 1969 to July 2007. The 2014 order listed the documents to be preserved as including 'operational briefs and summaries, log sheets, patrol and incident reports from Operation Banner in Northern Ireland'. Miss Gavigan's family said they want to ensure that the MoD continues to preserve all Army documents relating to Operation Banner for the period 1969 to 2007 so that they, and other families seeking information in legacy cases, can access relevant state materials for the purposes of future legacy inquests, civil actions and public inquiries. Ms Coyle said the Preservation Order is of the utmost importance to all families seeking answers over incidents involving the Army during the Troubles. 'In 2015, my clients sought the preservation of all relevant MoD documents relating to British Army's activities in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007,' she said. 'In particular they wished to secure the preservation of all Army documents relating to the killing of their 14-year-old sister Annette on September 6 1971 in Derry so these are available for the fresh inquest they achieved last year.' She said the first Preservation Order for these documents was granted in December 2014 for 10 years. 'The legal obligation to preserve 50,000 Army records relating to Northern Ireland was transferred from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (SSCMS) in 2015,' she said. 'In April, this year our clients sought a further Preservation Order from the MoD, Lord Chancellor and SSCMS. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence have now confirmed that a further 10-year Preservation Order was signed by SSCMS on May 6 2025. 'The preservation of these records is of paramount importance for all families in Northern Ireland who seek access to information and truth about the killing of their loved ones in cases involving the Army.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
MoD obliged to preserve records relating to Troubles for next 10 years
It is believed to cover some 50,000 documents relating to Operation Banner, and comes after a request by lawyers for the family of a teenage girl killed in Londonderry in 1971. Annette McGavigan, 14, was killed during unrest in Derry on September 6. She was said to have been playing with a friend when she was shot dead. Her family has been campaigning for decades for answers and justice. There is a mural in her memory in the Bogside area of the city. Martin McGavigan and his daughter Maria McGavigan have been campaigning for answers around the death of Annette McGavigan in Derry in 1971 (Ashlee Ruggels/PA) Last year, Northern Ireland's Attorney General Dame Brenda King granted a fresh inquest into Miss McGavigan's death, but that came just before the former Government's Legacy Act deadline which halted all inquests which had not reached their final stages. It also followed a decision by the Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute a former soldier in relation to the teenager's death. Miss McGavigan's family has expressed hope that the current Labour Government will honour the fresh inquests directed by the Attorney General before the cut-off date in April 2024. It is understood that there are some 22 inquests relating to more than 40 deaths in Northern Ireland still outstanding, with some other previously unallocated legacy inquests also due to be honoured. Patricia Coyle, solicitor for Miss McGavigan's family, said they have secured a Preservation Order for the MoD documents for a further period of 10 years to 2035. They wrote to the MoD, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (SSCMS) in April to request an extension of an existing Preservation Order for all MoD Operation Banner documents dating from August 1969 to July 2007. The 2014 order listed the documents to be preserved as including 'operational briefs and summaries, log sheets, patrol and incident reports from Operation Banner in Northern Ireland'. Miss Gavigan's family said they want to ensure that the MoD continues to preserve all Army documents relating to Operation Banner for the period 1969 to 2007 so that they, and other families seeking information in legacy cases, can access relevant state materials for the purposes of future legacy inquests, civil actions and public inquiries. Ms Coyle said the Preservation Order is of the utmost importance to all families seeking answers over incidents involving the Army during the Troubles. 'In 2015, my clients sought the preservation of all relevant MoD documents relating to British Army's activities in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007,' she said. 'In particular they wished to secure the preservation of all Army documents relating to the killing of their 14-year-old sister Annette on September 6 1971 in Derry so these are available for the fresh inquest they achieved last year.' She said the first Preservation Order for these documents was granted in December 2014 for 10 years. 'The legal obligation to preserve 50,000 Army records relating to Northern Ireland was transferred from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (SSCMS) in 2015,' she said. 'In April, this year our clients sought a further Preservation Order from the MoD, Lord Chancellor and SSCMS. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence have now confirmed that a further 10-year Preservation Order was signed by SSCMS on May 6 2025. 'The preservation of these records is of paramount importance for all families in Northern Ireland who seek access to information and truth about the killing of their loved ones in cases involving the Army.'
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
UK defence ministry obliged to preserve records relating to Troubles for next 10 years
The UK ministry of defence has been obliged to preserve records relating to the Troubles for the next 10 years. It is believed to cover some 50,000 documents relating to Operation Banner, and comes after a request by lawyers for the family of a teenage girl killed in Derry in 1971. Advertisement Annette McGavigan (14) was killed during unrest in Derry on September 6th. She was said to have been playing with a friend when she was shot dead. Her family has been campaigning for decades for answers and justice. There is a mural in her memory in the Bogside area of the city. Martin McGavigan and his daughter Maria McGavigan have been campaigning for answers around the death of Annette McGavigan in 1971. Photo: Ashlee Ruggels/PA Last year, the North's Attorney General Brenda King granted a fresh inquest into Miss McGavigan's death, but that came just before the former British government's Legacy Act deadline which halted all inquests which had not reached their final stages. It also followed a decision by the UK Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute a former British soldier in relation to the teenager's death. Advertisement Miss McGavigan's family has expressed hope that the current Labour government in the UK will honour the fresh inquests directed by the Attorney General before the cut-off date in April 2024. It is understood that there are some 22 inquests relating to more than 40 deaths in the North still outstanding, with some other previously unallocated legacy inquests also due to be honoured. Patricia Coyle, solicitor for Miss McGavigan's family, said they have secured a Preservation Order for the MoD documents for a further period of 10 years to 2035. They wrote to the MoD and the UK secretary of state for culture, media and sport (SSCMS) in April to request an extension of an existing Preservation Order for all MoD Operation Banner documents dating from August 1969 to July 2007. Advertisement The 2014 order listed the documents to be preserved as including 'operational briefs and summaries, log sheets, patrol and incident reports from Operation Banner in Northern Ireland'. Miss Gavigan's family said they want to ensure that the MoD continues to preserve all British army documents relating to Operation Banner for the period 1969 to 2007 so that they, and other families seeking information in legacy cases, can access relevant state materials for the purposes of future legacy inquests, civil actions and public inquiries. Ms Coyle said the Preservation Order is of the utmost importance to all families seeking answers over incidents involving the Army during the Troubles. 'In 2015, my clients sought the preservation of all relevant MoD documents relating to British Army's activities in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007,' she said. Advertisement 'In particular they wished to secure the preservation of all Army documents relating to the killing of their 14-year-old sister Annette on September 6th, 1971 in Derry so these are available for the fresh inquest they achieved last year.' She said the first Preservation Order for these documents was granted in December 2014 for 10 years. Ireland Nine people charged following disorder in Derry Read More 'The legal obligation to preserve 50,000 Army records relating to Northern Ireland was transferred from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (SSCMS) in 2015,' she said. 'In April, this year our clients sought a further Preservation Order from the MoD, Lord Chancellor and SSCMS. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence have now confirmed that a further 10-year Preservation Order was signed by SSCMS on May 6 2025. Advertisement 'The preservation of these records is of paramount importance for all families in Northern Ireland who seek access to information and truth about the killing of their loved ones in cases involving the Army.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
MoD obliged to preserve records relating to Troubles for next 10 years
It is believed to cover some 50,000 documents relating to Operation Banner, and comes after a request by lawyers for the family of a teenage girl killed in Londonderry in 1971. Annette McGavigan, 14, was killed during unrest in Derry on September 6. She was said to have been playing with a friend when she was shot dead. Her family has been campaigning for decades for answers and justice. There is a mural in her memory in the Bogside area of the city. Last year, Northern Ireland's Attorney General Dame Brenda King granted a fresh inquest into Miss McGavigan's death, but that came just before the former Government's Legacy Act deadline which halted all inquests which had not reached their final stages. It also followed a decision by the Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute a former soldier in relation to the teenager's death. Miss McGavigan's family has expressed hope that the current Labour Government will honour the fresh inquests directed by the Attorney General before the cut-off date in April 2024. It is understood that there are some 22 inquests relating to more than 40 deaths in Northern Ireland still outstanding, with some other previously unallocated legacy inquests also due to be honoured. Patricia Coyle, solicitor for Miss McGavigan's family, said they have secured a Preservation Order for the MoD documents for a further period of 10 years to 2035. They wrote to the MoD, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (SSCMS) in April to request an extension of an existing Preservation Order for all MoD Operation Banner documents dating from August 1969 to July 2007. The 2014 order listed the documents to be preserved as including 'operational briefs and summaries, log sheets, patrol and incident reports from Operation Banner in Northern Ireland'. Miss Gavigan's family said they want to ensure that the MoD continues to preserve all Army documents relating to Operation Banner for the period 1969 to 2007 so that they, and other families seeking information in legacy cases, can access relevant state materials for the purposes of future legacy inquests, civil actions and public inquiries. Ms Coyle said the Preservation Order is of the utmost importance to all families seeking answers over incidents involving the Army during the Troubles. 'In 2015, my clients sought the preservation of all relevant MoD documents relating to British Army's activities in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007,' she said. 'In particular they wished to secure the preservation of all Army documents relating to the killing of their 14-year-old sister Annette on September 6 1971 in Derry so these are available for the fresh inquest they achieved last year.' She said the first Preservation Order for these documents was granted in December 2014 for 10 years. 'The legal obligation to preserve 50,000 Army records relating to Northern Ireland was transferred from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (SSCMS) in 2015,' she said. 'In April, this year our clients sought a further Preservation Order from the MoD, Lord Chancellor and SSCMS. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence have now confirmed that a further 10-year Preservation Order was signed by SSCMS on May 6 2025. 'The preservation of these records is of paramount importance for all families in Northern Ireland who seek access to information and truth about the killing of their loved ones in cases involving the Army.'
