Mr Isherwood raised the matter in the Business
Statement after being asked to do so by Veterans from Flintshire to
Anglesey, but was left disappointed by the Minister’s reply.
Speaking in the Chamber, he said: “This weekend, hundreds of protesters marched
through Cardiff in support of veterans being prosecuted for historic offences
in Northern Ireland, coinciding with protests by veterans across the UK.
"In
2014, it was discovered that Mr Blair's Government had done a secret deal as
part of the Good Friday negotiations, in which letters were sent to known IRA
members involved in terrorism, assuring them they would not face prosecution in
the future.
“Last week, the Defence Secretary, Penny
Mordaunt, announced plans for legislation to provide stronger protection from
repeated investigations into historical allegations for veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan, but she also said, although this wouldn't apply to (those who
served in) Northern Ireland, she intended to find a way they could be afforded
similar protection, and dealing with the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans
was a ‘personal priority’ for her.
“Has the Welsh Government taken a position on
this, will it do so, given the protests in Cardiff and the impact on many
people living in Wales, and what dialogue has it had, if any, with the UK
Government?"
Responding the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd,
Rebecca Evans AM, said: “The issue relating to armed forces veterans is not an
issue that is devolved to the Welsh Government, so I suggest that the Member
takes it up with the relevant UK Government Minister.”
Speaking outside the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said: “Armed Forces Veterans
from Flintshire to Anglesey asked me to raise this in the Assembly. They will
find the Welsh Government response more than disappointing.”
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