A SLIGHT departure from some of my usual interests this week as I attended and spoke in statements and debates relating to the state of flux that has descended on Northern Irish politics with the resignation of Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of the Stormont Assembly.

I have not paid such close attention to the affairs of the Stormont in the past, but my focus this week has been prompted by an urgent and serious matter: the investigation by the Northern Ireland police of each of the 302 killings by British soldiers serving in Northern Ireland under Operation Banner at the worst times of the Troubles.

Of course the conduct of our Armed Forces should be subject to proper scrutiny and the rule of law, but recent events such as the early morning raids on homes of elderly veterans to answer decades-old allegations are having a chilling impact in my constituency that is home to so many current and former service personnel.

As I said in the House of Commons, the focus of these investigations seems both disproportionate and deeply partisan, especially when set against the fact that some 200 suspected terrorists – including Hyde Park bomber John Downey – received so-called comfort letters from the Government which effectively gave them immunity from prosecution.

Unless the current wave of investigations are handled with deep sensitivity and common sense, we will run the risk of looking like we support the prosecution of soldiers for just doing their job, which not only breaks every aspect of the Military Covenant, but will have a dreadful effect on Army morale and recruiting – at a time when we know global tensions are on the rise.

Last year, the new Prime Minister took sensible and welcome steps to ensure that veterans from the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts would not have to face persistent legal claims from those claiming that battlefield conduct violated the European Convention on Human Rights and, along with other MPs, I strongly believe that the veterans of Operation Banner deserve no less. Perhaps the current turmoil in Stormont politics will provide an opportunity for Westminster to deliver a clear message and provide leadership to the devolved politics of Northern Ireland.

Locally, as always, if I can help you with anything or you need a slot at one of my advice surgeries then please do get in touch by emailing me at claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk, calling my Devizes office on (01380) 729358, or via my website www.claireperry.org.uk. I am also on facebook at claire4devizes.