SAS hero Andy McNab slams MoD letters sent to 400 veterans of Northern Ireland’s Troubles in new probe into killings by British Troops
The contrast in treatment to terrorists who caused 90 per cent of deaths during the Troubles has caused outrage
SAS legend Andy McNab has criticised letters sent to nearly 400 veterans of the Troubles identifying them as witnesses in police investigations.
It is believed the Ministry of Defence has been sending them out on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 2013.
The news follows revelations by The Sun last week that all 302 killings by British troops during the 30-year conflict remain under investigation.
But McNab, 56, who was involved in five IRA deaths, said: “Think of the anxiety each one of those letters is going to cause. And what do they hope to get out of them?
"You’re asking a bloke in his 60s or 70s if he remembers what he did when he was a teenager.”
An MoD spokesman confirmed “close to 400 letters” have been sent.
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It is unclear if the recipients are suspected of any crimes or are being viewed as witnesses.
The probe into the killings by British forces could go on for years with as many as 1,000 ex-servicemen viewed as potential suspects.
But the move has caused outrage over the contrast in treatment to terrorists, who caused 90 per cent of the 3,200 deaths during the Troubles.
McNab added: “This is all fuelled by greed and politics and it is wrong. You don’t see terror suspects getting treated like this.
“It is a moral outrage, practically pointless and will negatively affect future operations.”