SAS veterans send grave warning to Labour MPs as one breaks ranks | UK | News
Critics warn Legacy Act repeal could endanger veterans (Image: Getty)
SAS veterans have sent a message to Labor MPs ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote that could have serious consequences for those serving in Northern Ireland. Labor has long planned to repeal and replace the Succession Act, a law designed to protect veterans who served during the Troubles from vexatious prosecution, arguing that parts of the law are incompatible with the Human Rights Act.
A petition calling on the government to abandon its plans has attracted more than 200,000 signatures, with veterans groups warning that the plans would allow the IRA to continue its war against British forces. The SAS Regimental Association has called on Labor MPs to vote against the bill or abstain from voting ahead of a key vote on Monday. They wrote: “Special Forces veterans have no confidence that a suitably amended bill will be ready early in the next session of Parliament. “Many others, including many of your colleagues in Parliament, have serious doubts about the effectiveness of the bill.
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20,000 British troops were stationed in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles (Image: Getty)
“It is time for the government to recognize how flawed the bill is and rethink its strategy for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles, which currently uses veterans as pawns and encourages the use of legal remedies against Operation Banner veterans.”
They added: “Service members who served in Northern Ireland came from all over the country and many veterans and current serving members are your constituents. We write with sadness rather than anger and, with the support of other SF Associations, we ask that you vote against moving the Bill on Monday or abstain.”
Veterans will protest the bill in front of parliament on Monday; Labor-appointed Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone told the Daily Express that repealing the law would facilitate the IRA’s “lawful operation by other means”.
Defense Minister and former Royal Marine Al Carns will miss the vote (Image: Getty)
Shadow Armed Forces Secretary Mark Francois told the Daily Express that Labor’s pursuit of this legislation would impact ex-service personnel in the areas they are trying to target for electoral success.
He said: “Many of the veterans fighting against terrorists in Northern Ireland were recruited in the 1970s and 80s from the seats of what we now call the ‘Red Wall’.
“The Good Friday Agreement would never have happened without their brave service, so why would Labor MPs effectively vote against them just a week before crucial national and local elections?
“At least they should say ‘not in my name’ and abstain.”
It comes as Al Carns, the armed forces minister and the most decorated soldier in Labor’s ranks, is set to miss the crucial vote.
Carns has previously been used to communicate the impact of changes on veterans in order to leverage its credibility with the armed forces community.
The former Royal Marine Colonel reportedly visited troops operating against Iran in the Gulf; This means he cannot vote, as he was reportedly placed on resignation watch last year due to his reservations about the changes.
A Government spokesman previously told the Daily Express: “This Government’s commitment to our Operation Banner veterans is unwavering. The previous Government’s Inheritance Act was declared illegal by the courts and provided no real protection for veterans in inheritance processes.
“The new NI Issues Bill and associated elements provide six legal and enforceable protections designed in consultation with veterans to make the legislation work for them.
“We recognize the strength of feeling within the defense community on this issue. We have held constructive meetings with former senior officers, Regimental Corps representatives and the third sector to ensure their views and experiences are taken into account as this bill moves through parliament.”
