Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois has called on the government to take immediate action to protect Northern Ireland veterans from potential prosecution.
His comments come as a petition demanding legal safeguards for veterans rapidly gains support, amassing over 38,000 signatures in just four days.
The petition, titled Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecutions, calls on the government to avoid changes to legislation that would enable the prosecution of veterans involved in Operation Banner, the British Army’s long-running operation in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007. The petition argues that those who served should not be prosecuted for actions carried out during their duty to combat terrorism.
In a statement, Francois said: “This petition is growing rapidly having amassed over 33,000 names in barely four days. This is about preventing ‘two-tier justice’ – one for our brave Op-Banner veterans and another for the likes of Gerry Adams. We are essentially asking people to help defend those who defended us.”
The petition was launched amid growing concerns about proposed legislative changes that could see veterans prosecuted for historical actions during the Troubles. Critics argue that new legislation could unfairly target former service personnel while allowing individuals previously involved in paramilitary activities to avoid legal consequences.
The campaign has sparked a broader debate on how the UK government addresses historical allegations related to military operations in Northern Ireland. The petition calls for a firm stance to prevent what Francois describes as an imbalance in justice.
The petition, created by Ian Robert Liles, requires 100,000 signatures to be considered for a parliamentary debate. As of now, it has passed the 10,000-signature threshold, which mandates a formal government response within three days.
To support the petition, visit the official UK Parliament petitions page: Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecutions.
With NI there was supposed to be a line drawn and a need to look forward for peace. If we’re not going after the terrorists it’s got to go both ways.
On A related note, if any of the stories are true about special forces actions they should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. We don’t know everything or indeed anything for certain but the process has to be followed
Agree fairness should be the watchword. Personally I always think any actions of soldiers on operations should really be on the state anyway.. not the individual unless it’s profoundly egregious.
Which is it then? You are saying in your second paragraph go after the servicemen but in your first leave the terrorists alone🤔
We also have Gerry Adam’s in court down south claiming he wasn’t in the IRA,believe that if you will🙄
Sorry to clarify i mean the recent sf accusations in hit and sandy places
It’s very easy to criticise the actions of people in a potential life-or-death situation from the comfort of an armchair. Not terribly useful though.
I’ve not always been in an armchair.
I think all here understand that decisions made in the heat of the conflict have to be viewed from the perspective of the situation on the ground at the time. We have to uphold the rules of war though because if we don’t we run the serious risk of others not taking care of our bods too.