The call from John Larkin, the Northern Ireland Attorney General, for an amnesty for crimes related to The Troubles committed prior to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 has understandably caused deep anguish to the people of Northern Ireland. Both the Democratic Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party have issued statements of concern and opposition to the proposal.
It is a fundamental tenet of British law, that we do not have a Statute of Limitations, nor a public policy settlement of ignoring historic offences. Why should men who are currently facing charges for historic sexual offences dating back to the 1960s in some cases be prosecuted if those who committed brutal sectarian murders much more recently are allowed to avoid accountability for their actions? The suggestion is abhorrent and should be opposed by all who support the rule of law.
Chris Whitehouse
