Boris Johnson: Government 'Bringing Forward' Historical Prosecution Legislation

The Prime Minister confirmed a consultation on the legislation has just come to and end.

(Picture: PA).

The Prime Minister has confirmed legislation on historical allegations is being brought forward.

Boris Johnson went on to say "it cannot be right" for military veterans to face the repeated threat of prosection for historical allegations "when no new evidence has been forthcoming".

Mr Johnson was speaking in the House of Commons following the Queen's Speech, which contained no mention of legislation to protect military veterans from prosecution.

Responding to Tory MP Bob Stewart's question of what would be done about the "urgent" matter of ex-personnel facing allegations, the Prime Minister said: "We will be bringing forward legislation to protect serving and former serving personnel.

"The consultation on that matter has just come to an end."

The Prime Minister's comments came amid claims from a Democratic Unionist Party MP that the Northern Ireland office is trying to "placate" Sinn Fein rather than protect soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

Burned out houses in Conway Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland during the Troubles
In August, the Defence Secretary ruled out the idea of giving all Troubles veterans an amnesty (Picture: PA).

The DUP's Sammy Wilson asked Mr Johnson whether legislation to protect veterans would include those who served in Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister responded by saying: "No one should escape justice for a crime that he or she may have committed, but it cannot be right that people should face unfair prosecutions when no new evidence has been forthcoming.

"That applies across the whole of our country."

During his campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party, Boris Johnson pledged to end "unfair" prosecutions of veterans who served in Northern Ireland.