PEACE campaigner Colin Parry says he understands the reasoning behind the Government’s proposed “amnesty” for those involved in the troubles in Northern Ireland, which has been condemned by Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols.
Ms Nichols has condemned the decision to give a blanket amnesty to killers and ignore the grief and trauma of victims and their families.
But while Ms Nichols has condemned the decision, peace campaigner Colin Parry, whose 12-year-old son Tim died with Johnathan Ball following the IRA bomb attack on Warrington in 1993, said he understood the reasoning behind it, while not disagreeing or agreeing with it.
Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry
“Warrington still grieves the victims of the 1993 bombing, and we will not forget Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball. Nor do we forget those injured in 1996 in the Arndale bombing, many of whom live locally, or the victims and survivors of terrorist atrocities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland throughout this period. There is no statute of limitation on the hurt and continuing impact of these murderous outrages and victims deserve a continued path for legal redress. Despite what the Prime Minister said, we cannot ‘draw a line under the Troubles’.
“More widely this is the wrong thing to do at the wrong time. We all know that this is a very delicate time in Northern Ireland as tensions have escalated around the Northern Ireland Protocol. The five major parties in Northern Ireland have all opposed this move by the Government and they should be acting with far more care and judgment not to risk the Good Friday Agreement. Rather than taking such unwise unilateral actions, they should follow the Stormont House Agreement framework, working with communities rather than imposing on them.
“But this is part of the pattern that we have seen from the Government. Last year the Prime Minister approved putting Warrington bomb-defender Claire Fox in the House of Lords and tried to avoid responsibility for compensating victims of terror. Ministers are taking huge decisions for political convenience while disregarding victims.
“I commend the continuing work of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation. It is shameful that Ministers did not consult them about these amnesty plans, but the Peace Centre is a beacon of hope and solace locally, nationally and internationally. If any constituents feel affected by the announcement, I urge them to contact them for support.”
But while surprised by the Government’s decision Mr Parry said he didn’t disapprove or approve of it.
“I’m surprised but accept there is some wisdom to it. I think the Government may have felt compromised over soldiers who are now in their 70s facing prosecutions over actions taken over 50 years ago.
“Public opinion appeared to be against such actions and the only way to move forward would be to offer an amnesty to all sides. It is a very hard political decision but one I understand.
“There will be victims who are angry but to breach an impasse, now and again Governments need to make brave decisions.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the Commons that a statute of limitations was “the best way to help Northern Ireland move further along the road to reconciliation”.
He said it would apply equally to all Troubles-related incidents, including former members of the security forces as well as ex-paramilitaries.
Meanwhile Unionist and nationalist political parties in Northern Ireland have also condemned the Government’s plan to introduce a statute of limitations for Troubles-related offences.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the proposals would be “rejected by everyone in Northern Ireland who stands for justice and the rule of law”, while SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described them as a “serious act of bad faith”.
A statement from the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace said: “The Peace Foundation is commissioned by the Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors Service to provide health and well being support to anyone affected by the Troubles who is domiciled in Great Britain. This announcement has come as a shock to many people and is causing upset and anger.
“The Peace Foundation is available to provide free and confidential support and can be contacted on [email protected] or 01925 581 231.”
The Prime Minister's remark that the people of Northern Ireland need to "draw a line under the Troubles" as justification for an amnesty for all who committed Troubles-related offences pre-1998, including the Warrington Bombing, is a huge slap in the face for all of us #PMQs
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) July 14, 2021
1 Comment
I’ll take the view of Colin Parry over a career politician every time. Much of the trouble and argument over prosecutions was fuelled by Tony. Blair.