Theresa May conceded on Wednesday that the prosecutions of soldiers over deaths in Northern Ireland decades ago is “not working well”.

The prime minister’s admission - made just a week before an announcement on possible charges over Bloody Sunday - will increase the pressure on the Government to protect soldiers from historic prosecutions.

Mrs May was pressed during prime minister’s questions on MPs’ concerns over “attempts to prosecute” veterans for events up to 50 years ago and demands for “greater legal protection”.

Mrs May told MPs: “We have been clear that the current system for dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past is not working well for anyone.

“The system to investigate the past does need to change to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the troubles but also to ensure members of our armed forces and police are not unfairly treated.”