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Father of son murdered during the Troubles accuses PM of ‘disrespecting victims of terrorism’

A FATHER whose son was murdered during the Troubles accused the Prime Minister Boris Johnson of “disrespecting victims of terrorism” today.

The accusation came as campaigners returned to Westminster in order to protest against an “amnesty” for crimes linked to the conflict. 

In July, the government announced plans for a statute of limitations to prevent all prosecutions relating to the Troubles up to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. 

Former British troops, paramilitaries and IRA members would all be protected under the proposals. 

Families of the victims, human rights groups and the main political parties across Northern Ireland as well as the Irish government have united to condemn the plans. 

On Tuesday, bereaved families and politicians will return to Westminster for a third time “to continue the battle for truth and justice.”

Ahead of the visit, Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast in 1997, said: “Our Prime Minister disrespects the victims and families of terrorism.

“Destroying the truth by dismantling the justice system is the action of either someone insane or a dictator hiding the state’s involvement. A Prime Minister afraid of the truth.”

Mr McCord added that the group had “made history” by getting every major party north and south of the island to sign up to a statement condemning the amnesty, noting: “Even the Good Friday Agreement didn’t have all the parties signing it.

“We call upon all the citizens in the UK to reject these proposals, stand up to Boris Johnson and his self-serving, justice-dismantling proposals as he tries to hide the truth of the murders of thousands of innocent people.”

The British government argues that the statute of limitations would allow Northern Ireland to “draw a line under the Troubles.”

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