SCOTS GUARDS

Early day motion 1643, tabled 8 September 2003 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 11 members.

That this House observes the 11th anniversary of the death of Belfast teenager Peter McBride on 4th September 1992; notes that the McBride family has won widespread international support for their belief that the two Scots Guards convicted and imprisoned for his murder should not have been allowed to resume their careers in Her Majesty's Armed Services on release after three years; notes the Northern Ireland High Court rejection of the 'exceptional reasons' for their retention put forward by the Army Board; notes the failure of the Ministry of Defence to respond to the adverse ruling of the court; notes the consequent damage to public confidence; welcomes the proposal of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints procedures in Northern Ireland for 'the Army Board to initiate a final appeal panel drawn from people outside the military system, able to exercise publicly that crucial ingredient of independence and transparency which is now a requirement of good governance'; and urges the Government to establish such a body without delay.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 2.