Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
Veteran’s son urges minister to limit Troubles-era cases against troops
John Hutchings has urged Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant to limit criminal cases against former soldiers over events during the Troubles.
Hutchings’s father, Dennis, was an 80-year-old former soldier who faced an attempted murder charge in 2021 and died in hospital while his trial was under way.
Hutchings and other campaigners met Bryant this week to argue that veterans should not face repeated cases without compelling new evidence.
Their appeal comes as Labour’s Troubles Bill is due back in the House of Commons next week.
The bill could allow fresh investigations and inquests, including in cases where veterans were previously cleared.
Two soldiers acquitted of the 1972 murder of Official IRA leader Joe McCann were told in 2024 that a new inquest would take place.
Bryant said the government’s planned amendments would include provisions to prevent repeat investigations.
John Hutchings has urged Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to strengthen protections for veterans facing Troubles-era cases.
Hutchings’s father, former soldier Dennis Hutchings, died in hospital while on trial after facing an attempted murder charge in 2021.
Hutchings and campaigners raised their concerns at a private meeting with Bryant this week.
Bryant said the government’s planned amendments to the Troubles Bill would include provisions to prevent repeat investigations.
- Who
- John Hutchings, son of veteran Dennis Hutchings, and campaigners met Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant.
- What
- They called for tighter restrictions on cases against veterans linked to the Troubles.
- When
- The meeting took place this week, ahead of the Troubles Bill’s return to the House of Commons next week.
- Where
- The meeting was held in Northern Ireland; the article does not state the venue.
- Why
- Hutchings and campaigners said veterans faced repeated cases without compelling new evidence.
John Hutchings and campaigners
Sir Chris Bryant
Repeat cases
John Hutchings and campaigners
Hutchings said the same cases were being brought up again without compelling evidence that was not previously available.
Sir Chris Bryant
Bryant said the government’s amendments would include provisions to prevent repeat investigations.
Veteran protections
John Hutchings and campaigners
Hutchings and campaigners urged Labour to tighten restrictions on cases against veterans.
Sir Chris Bryant
Bryant said the government’s commitment to service personnel and veterans was unshakable.
The pain is in the process.
I'm afraid when we met the minister there was an ocean between his position and ours.
Our commitment to our service personnel and veterans is unshakable.
Official IRA leader Joe McCann was killed in Belfast.
Soldiers A and C were formally acquitted of McCann’s murder.
Dennis Hutchings faced an attempted murder charge.
Soldiers A and C learned they faced a fresh inquest.
John Hutchings and campaigners met Sir Chris Bryant ahead of the Troubles Bill’s return to the Commons.
- Dennis Hutchings
- 80 years old when he faced the attempted murder charge
- Charge
- Attempted murder, in 2021
- Meeting
- Private meeting with Sir Chris Bryant this week
- Troubles Bill
- Set to return to the House of Commons next week
- Soldiers A and C
- Acquitted in May 2021 of Joe McCann’s murder
- Fresh inquest
- Soldiers A and C learned in 2024 that they faced one
Sources
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