'Respect our veterans' march after Troubles case collapsed in Belfast

Sacked minister Johnny Mercer will lead a 'respect our veterans' march after the trial against two paratroopers accused of murdering Official IRA leader Joe McCann collapsed.

Mr Mercer - who left his ministerial role after expressing frustration at a lack of progress on legislation to protect British veterans who served during the Troubles from prosecution - attended Belfast Crown Court last Tuesday.

It also comes after reports of a form of amnesty on Troubles prosecutions.

Northern Ireland's two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, have both criticised the reported move by the UK Government to introduce a statute of limitations on prosecuting offences committed prior to the signing of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

The Irish Government has also made clear its opposition, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin claiming any such proposal would represent a "breach of trust''

Mr Mercer also agrees that a 'blanket amnesty' is not the correct path.

He told Downtown & Cool FM " I don't wat to see people going around bragging about breaking the law. I think we have to do a bit better than what is on the table at the moment."

The remarks are likely to upset former troops demanding an immediate end to criminal proceedings and probes.

Mr Mercer is expected to address thousands of veterans at a protest march in London today – but many are said to be sceptical over his commitment to their cause.

As many as 20,000 ex-soldiers are due at the rally which starts in Trafalgar Square and goes past the Cenotaph into Parliament Square.