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Human rights campaign organisation, Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), is warning that an investigation into the 1978 La Mon atrocity could be halted by the Government’s Legacy Bill.

UHRW’s Advocacy Service has written to the Prime Minister seeking an assurance that the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) will be able to continue with its investigation into the PIRA attack that killed twelve people and injured twenty-three others.

UHRW Advocacy Service Manager, Axel Schmidt, “This is a straightforward matter for relatives and survivors of La Mon: can the Ombudsman’s Office proceed with the investigation it started in 2022 and expects to have completed in April next year?

“The sole major obstacle that could jeopardise the completion of this investigation is the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which may come into force in the near future.

“For this reason, taking into account the seriousness of this case and the length of time the victims have been waiting for this investigation to be carried out, I have asked that the Prime Minister urgently intervene so as to ensure that this investigation can be continued by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland until its conclusion.

We request a clear answer from the Prime Minister: ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“Survivors and relatives will take great comfort if the answer is ‘yes’. If, on the other hand, they are told ‘no’, then those who are left with the traumatic injuries of that awful night will be denied access to the truth and feel left behind, abandoned and betrayed by their Government.

“It would be a shocking disregard of their suffering and resilience over many years if they were to fail to get this all-important assurance from the Prime Minister.”

Three party leaders have joined with an MP and an MLA to write to the Prime Minister asking him to delay the legacy Bill to allow an Inquest to be help into the murder of a UDR Corporal.

Unionist leaders, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Doug Beattie MLA and Jim Allister MLA along with Ian Paisley MP and Tom Elliott MLA have appealed to Rishi Sunak and his Ministers to ensure the Inquest takes place.

Corporal James Elliott, a father of three, was abducted, brutally interrogated and murdered by the PIRA in the Republic of Ireland. His body was then transported back across the border in April 1972.

The letter, which was suggested by Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), states: “We are heartened that the Attorney General for Northern Ireland has recently directed that an inquest be held into the Corporal’s brutal death. This will provide the Elliott family with some closure and an acknowledgement of his dedicated service whilst in uniform, but more importantly the truth about the circumstances of his death.

“No one has ever been convicted of his murder.

“However, there is a looming problem that could derail this long-awaited Inquest. The Government’s Legacy Bill that is currently going through Parliament could conceivably result in this process grinding to a halt.

“If this were to happen, it would be a shocking and deeply disappointing development. It would be an intolerable denial of justice and a grave insult to the memory of a brave soldier and his loved ones.

“We would appeal to you personally, Prime Minister, and your Government, to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that this inquest takes place, and that justice prevails – even in Northern Ireland.

“You will be aware that we oppose the Legacy Bill because it will be a legislative barrier to any future terrorist-related cases from taking place. Many innocent victims of terrorism and veterans who worked to prevent anarchy in Northern Ireland view this Bill as a gross betrayal. We would point out that while your government has notionally brought the Legacy Bill forward to protect soldiers from inquests, this is an example of where the Bill will deny the family of a murdered soldier, who died in the service of this country, their right to an inquest.

“In the case of Corporal Elliott, you have the opportunity to show some compassion and understanding. We earnestly hope you avail of this opportunity.”

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “We are grateful to political leaders and their colleagues for agreeing to take this case to the Prime Minister.

“Corporal Elliott was brutally murdered by PIRA and there was a shocking lack of any investigation by police on both sides of the border. The recent direction for a new inquest is effectively an admission that authorities cannot even be sure which jurisdiction the murder took place in.

“We have campaigned for this inquest for a number of years and believe it is only right that the family has access to this important legal process. It would be heartless and monstrously disrespectful if the Legacy Bill blocked it from taking place.”

“The Elliott family firmly supports this initiative and we hope the Government listens and acts.”

Click here to see the joint letter

The family of a murdered UDR soldier and Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) have welcomed the decision by the Attorney General to open a new Inquest into his death.

Corporal James Elliott was abducted in 1972 at the border in Newry while driving his lorry. Thirty hours later his body was dumped on the side of a road in Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh, as a lure for a further attack on security forces.

The Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, informed in writing the law firm representing the Elliott family and UHRW of her direction to hold a fresh Inquest.

Corporal Elliott’s son, Jim, said: “This letter confirming a new Inquest is a big boost to all of us in our efforts to get justice.

“My father was savagely attacked by terrorists and we want to hold the guilty ones to account and to tell the world what these thugs and criminals did.

“I welcome the Attorney General’s decision and look forward to these new legal proceedings taking place.”

UHRW Advocacy worker, Jonathan Larner, said the decision must not be derailed by any new Legacy Bill.

Mr Larner said: “The Elliott family have every right to have this matter properly examined by a Coroner. Their father deserves no less.

“Any new legacy legislation cannot be allowed to deny justice to this brave soldier. Many want to draw a line under the past and support this Bill currently before Parliament. However, if it goes through, there’s a very real danger this new Inquest will be halted and the Elliotts once again denied their day in court.

“The family have been dignified and determined in their decades-long campaign and for that they are to be commended.

“Ulster Human Rights Watch appreciate this decision by the AG for Northern Ireland, which is a major advance in the case. It is also an encouragement for victims of terrorism to seek justice done and acknowledgement for what they have suffered.”