Special forces veterans outraged as Labour acts to end immunity | Politics | News
Soldiers serving in Northern Ireland feared to face harrowing lawsuits (Image: Getty Images)
Kemi Badenoch meets veterans ahead of Wednesday night’s vote (Image: Conservative Party)
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has vowed to continue the fight to protect veterans serving in Northern Ireland after Labor voted to scrap measures aimed at protecting them from prosecution. Former members of the special forces have condemned Labor’s decision to scrap protections put in place by the Conservatives, who gave people conditional immunity if they gave information about atrocities during the Troubles. It is feared that members of the armed forces who served in the state during the years of terrorism may face politically motivated investigations.
Ms Badenoch, who met with veterans before the vote, warned of the danger of armed forces recruitment, saying: “Labour’s plans will not only affect veterans facing prosecution today, but also those considering joining our armed forces in the future, because why would anyone choose to serve and fight for their country if they don’t think the government will have their back later?
“The Conservatives will not stop fighting Labor on this issue in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. We will always stand by our veterans.”
MPs voted for the bill to lift immunity and allow individuals to pursue civil cases. The bill must be approved by the House of Lords before it can come into force; Conservatives hope to stop the law.
SAS veteran Bob Parr called for the Government to do the “exact opposite” of what was intended in the peace process.
Warning it will “reopen old wounds and delay reconciliation,” he said: “The Prime Minister should step in and put an end to this nonsense with immediate effect.”
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During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer defended Labour’s actions, saying: “Under the last government, they introduced legislation that completely exposed our veterans. We are putting appropriate measures in place to protect them.”
Labor is introducing new legislation aimed at protecting veterans from repeated investigations and allowing them to give evidence from home.
But veteran Aldwin Wight, who led the 22nd SAS regiment, said: “This vote shows veterans that the war will never end. They did their duty for the state, but the state will not draw a line at them.”
“Labour has voted to turn Northern Ireland into a permanent courtroom and British veterans into permanent suspects.”
George Simm, a former regimental sergeant in the SAS, said: “The Good Friday Agreement was intended to end the conflict. This vote reopens it – not with bombs, but with lawyers.”
Retired SAS squadron commander David Maddan said: “MPs who voted on the Recovery Resolution today committed an atrocity that veterans will not forget. Those who served their country in Northern Ireland have been subjected to endless civil litigation.”
Troops deployed to Northern Ireland amid fears of massacre in state (Image: Mirrorpix)
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Alex Burghart MP, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, said: “The Government had a clear opportunity to stand behind those who risk their lives to protect this country. Instead, the Prime Minister’s spinelessness means our veterans will once again be left vulnerable to historically and politically motivated claims made decades after the events themselves.”
Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge said: “These brave soldiers risked everything to protect us and we can protect them in return by opposing Labour’s plan.”
