Hundreds of military veterans are expected to gather outside the Ministry of Defence today in protest at plans to repeal legislation protecting Northern Ireland veterans from prosecution.
The demonstration is timed to coincide with a Westminster Hall debate, beginning at 16:30, triggered by a public petition that has attracted more than 170,000 signatures.
At the heart of the protest is the potential rollback of legal protections established by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which shield veterans from being prosecuted for historic actions during Operation Banner, the British Army’s decades-long deployment in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007.
The petition that prompted today’s debate calls on the Government to resist any legislative reversal. Veteran-led groups argue that the Labour policy would reopen decades-old investigations, reigniting trauma for families and service personnel while failing to address wider issues of justice and reconciliation.
In a joint statement, the Veterans Commissioners for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales said: “We stand united in our firm support of the motion to be debated in Westminster today. We are deeply concerned by the prospect of retrospective legal action being taken against veterans who were carrying out their lawful duties, often under immense pressure and threat.”
The Royal British Legion added its voice, stating: “We call on the Government to urgently provide clarity on their intent regarding the process of legacy prosecutions. The anxiety and uncertainty created by the current situation is unfair and is having a substantial negative impact on veterans and their families.”
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois, who attended the protest, criticised Labour’s position: “It is a privilege to join veterans here today to protest against Labour’s plans for two-tier justice. Is it any wonder they can’t hit their recruiting targets when veterans are treated like this?”
Paul Young, a leading organiser from the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said the group would resist any policy that reopens investigations into veterans’ conduct while, in their view, treating former paramilitaries more leniently: “One rule for terrorists and no rules for our Security Forces. We will fight this government every step of the way until they give up these ill-conceived proposals.”
Road closures in central London are expected to remain in place until this evening.
US light aircraft manufacture shut down over law suits concerning poorly maintained, fourth hand, old aircraft. This was solved by giving manufacturers liability, a limit of the first 18 years. That cut off point got manufacturing going again.
Could the UK follow that precedent & cut off lawsuits against service persons on events that happened more than 18 years ago? There would be exceptions for extreme cases, but a general rule of an 18 yr cut off, would stop a lot of lawfare.
Over to you, Kier Starmer.
If it’s over to Mr “the only way is foreign”, I fear for anyone identifying themselves as British.
A reminder that a) the previous legislation achieved the record of uniting all NI parties against it and b) the U.K. has already repeatedly given international agreements in regards to the entire issue.
Now London doesn’t ever particularly care about either of those, but it’s something that you get nationalists, unionists and Dublin all agreeing on something.
And of course all those regrettable incidents involved British citizens (whether they want to be or not).
The political class in Northern Ireland are not representative of the electorate on this matter. Many agree with the sentiment of drawing a line in the sand and moving on. That’s what the GFA was about afterall. It is counter-intuitive to maintain the status quo for historic cases which have only a slim opportunity of convictions, which probably won’t result in ‘justice’ anyway given the age of the majority of people involved (if they are even still alive).
A better outcome would to find out the truth on various fronts which will only really happen when blanket immunity is provided.
The one-sided nature of the current fiasco is utterly abhorrent, with many IRA suspects (and a handful of loyalist paramilitaries) handed the so called ‘on the runs’ letters, providing them with legal immunity by the Tony Blair government, whilst veterans are dragged through the courts on spurious charges.
Standby for a peaceful and disciplined protest, no frothing at the mouth, violence, hoodies or face masks anywhere to be seen!
I would not be surprised if legal action is brought against the Government for a very clear and blatant two tier system.