The British government has moved one step closer to shielding British soldiers who served during the Troubles from murder prosecutions despite concerns that it could collapse the Stormont House agreement.

The proposed move by the Conservatives, who are expected to be in power after the UK general election, would set London at odds with the Irish government, which maintains that the agreement does not allow Westminster to pass a law granting amnesty to any party accused of a crime during the Troubles.

Irish ministers have written to James Brokenshire, the Northern Ireland secretary, about plans to use the Good Friday legacy legislation to pass the new law. Charlie Flanagan, the foreign affairs minister, has also voiced strong concerns. Unionist and Conservative politicians in Westminster, as