The British Ministry of Defence says it is up to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to investigate allegations that plain-clothes soldiers had a shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland.

A BBC 'Panorama' documentary last night revealed that the Military Reaction Force of the British army killed two people in drive-by shootings in 1972, neither of whom had paramilitary connections.

Authorities in London say soldiers were subject to criminal law at all times and that no units were authorised to take extra measures against suspected terrorists. It says it will cooperate fully with any inquiries undertaken by the PSNI.

More than 3,000 deaths are being investigated by the Historical Enquiries Team as part of the peace process in the North.

Seven former members of the Military Reaction Force believed military regulations prohibiting firing unless their lives were in immediate danger did not apply to them.

One told the 'Panorama' programme they were there to act like a terror group.

The most notorious unjustified army killings happened at Bloody Sunday in Derry 1972, when soldiers opened fire on civil rights protesters.

It comes just days after the Attorney-General in Northern Ireland called for an end to prosecutions for crimes committed during the 30 years of conflict there.