Minister defends support amid ‘troubles’ debate

Veterans Minister Al Carns has defended the government’s legal support for former service personnel, following concerns over the revocation of large parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mark Francois MP (Con, Rayleigh and Wickford) welcomed the Ministry of Defence’s decision to judicially review a recent coroner’s verdict regarding the shooting of IRA terrorists at Clonoe but called for greater protections for veterans.

“Veterans who served in Northern Ireland will no doubt welcome the Veterans Minister’s decision—first suggested by the shadow Defence Secretary—that the MOD should judicially review the recent coroner’s verdict regarding the shooting of several IRA terrorists at Clonoe,” he said.

“Well done, I say, but why not go further to protect veterans, and drop the plans to revoke large parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, which would only serve to facilitate yet more inquests of this type?”

Carns said he shared the concerns of veterans about how inquiries into historical events are being conducted, recalling the scale of violence faced by British troops during the conflict.

“The right hon. Member makes an important point. Having visited Northern Ireland just two weeks ago, I share the concerns of many veterans who have served in Northern Ireland, particularly concerns about the misinterpretation of the challenging context in which many of these inquests and inquiries are taking place,” he said.

“I remind Members on both sides of the House that not so long ago, in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, there were major explosions in every major city in the United Kingdom and assassinations across the UK. Killings were a regular event in Northern Ireland, and we sent our service personnel there to protect peace, save lives and, indeed, prevent a civil war.”

Francois warned that revoking the Legacy Act would create a two-tier justice system, with former British soldiers treated differently from IRA members who received “letters of comfort” under the Blair government.

“Revoking the legacy Act would encourage a system of two-tier justice—one for our Army veterans and another for alleged IRA terrorists, including those given so-called letters of comfort by the Blair regime,” he said.

“With many of those veterans having served in proud regiments that traditionally recruited from red wall northern constituencies, why should a Labour Government assist Gerry Adams to sue the British taxpayer? How is that supporting those who served their country valiantly on Operation Banner?”

Carns, who himself served on Operation Banner, assured MPs that the government is working with the Northern Ireland Office to ensure legal and welfare support for veterans facing investigations.

“Let us be absolutely clear: the right hon. Gentleman is looking at an individual who served his country on Operation Banner, so I understand the issues for all our veterans,” he said.

“I have been working very hard with the Northern Ireland Office to make sure that veterans’ welfare and legal services are provided, so that anyone involved in any of the investigations gets the support they require and that we can minimise the impact on what is quite a unique group of elderly veterans.”

The debate over the Legacy Act remains contentious, with veterans and supporters calling for further legal protections, while the government continues to navigate its commitments to justice and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.