In response to reports that Boris Johnson will make an election pledge to amend the Human Rights Act in an effort to stop military veterans being prosecuted over killings that took place during the Northern Ireland conflict, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland campaign manager, said:

“It is essential that no-one, including members of the Armed Forces, is above the law. Yet in preventing former soldiers from being prosecuted over killings and other abuses that took place during the Northern Ireland conflict, that is exactly where this would place them.

“All victims have the right to an independent investigation – that is a cornerstone of the rule of law throughout the world. 

“Victims in Northern Ireland are still paying the price for the failure of government to deal effectively with the past. As per previous commitments, the next UK Government must establish new mechanisms to ensure truth and justice is available to all, without fear or favour.”