John Swinney stands by 'move on from Troubles' remark in face of Holyrood protest

First Minister John Swinney said that people had to move on from the Troubles 'because if we don't move on, we remain in conflict' (Image: Jane Barlow/PA)

THE First Minister has stood by his statement that people must “move on” from the Troubles conflicts in Ireland in response to a protest at Holyrood sparked by the remarks.

A small group of army veterans and families of IRA victims had protested outside the Scottish parliament on Thursday claiming that Swinney’s comments had made them “beyond angry” and "disappointed”.