Clause 1 - Offences to which the Act applies
Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill
11:00 am
Jeffrey M Donaldson (Lagan Valley, DUP)
If members of the security forces have been involved in what the hon. Gentleman describes as deliberate collusion, that suggests that they are somehow involved with a paramilitary organisation. If they are, different standards may have to apply in those circumstances. In my experience in Northern Ireland, however, the number of members of the security forces who have engaged in such activities and who have not already been apprehended and subjected to the full rigour of the law in Northern Ireland is very small.
For the benefit of the hon. Gentleman, and so that there is no doubt, let me be clear that my party believes in justice. We believe that anyone who is guilty of a scheduled offence, whether they are a member of a paramilitary organisation or of the armed forces, should be subjected to the full process of the law. That is why we are opposed in principle to the Bill.