Overview
- The proposed legislation would scrap the 2023 immunity scheme, reopen some inquests and create a commission and a separate information‑recovery body to examine Troubles‑era killings.
- David Johnstone, the Labour‑appointed Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner, warns the plan treats veterans "worse than terrorists" and risks prosecutions that target soldiers over paramilitaries due to destroyed forensic evidence.
- The SAS Regimental Association has threatened legal action, and nine former four‑star generals previously cautioned that the approach fuels "lawfare" and is hurting special forces morale and retention.
- The government says its bill was developed after the Belfast High Court found parts of the Legacy Act incompatible with the ECHR and insists it includes six lawful protections designed with veterans.
- Conservatives say they will try to amend the bill to shield personnel who were following orders and to require prosecutors to consider age, health, trauma and prior investigations when deciding on cases.