Tories seek to stop Labour’s controversial Troubles Bill that will ‘kneecap’ SAS
The Conservative Party will make a last-ditch effort to stop Labour’s controversial Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which would ‘bring the SAS to its knees’.
The legislation would end immunity for former and serving members of the Armed Forces, introduced by the Conservatives.
Controversial investigations into the conflict, which dragged elderly veterans through the courts, will also continue.
Conservative Party defense spokesman James Cartlidge will ask ministers about the legislation when Parliament meets tomorrow.
He said the bill would hinder the ability of British Special Forces to defend national interests around the world.
A Conservative source said it would ‘bring the SAS to its knees’.
Mr Cartlidge believes the prospect of being brought to trial means no-one will want to join forces where they will be “fighting with one hand behind their back”.
The Troubles Bill sparked an angry response from the public, with a major campaign launched to stop its passage due to anger at the treatment of ex-servicemen.
British Troops under fire during the Troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1980s. New legislation introduced by the government will aim to create a new framework for addressing Troubles-related deaths
Tory defense spokesman James Cartlidge (pictured 5 November 2025) will quiz ministers on the legislation when Parliament returns tomorrow
‘I cannot understand how former defense ministers can continue to defend this,’ said a defense source.
A group of former SAS soldiers have also threatened to take legal action over the bill, which they claim will ‘devastate’ the Armed Forces.
It came as the Labour-appointed Troubles Commissioner said the Government’s plan to step up investigations into decades-old incidents showed forces were being treated ‘worse than terrorists’.
David Johnstone said the Bill was ‘unbalanced’ and ‘gnawing at the fabric of the Armed Forces’.
In November, nine senior generals wrote an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer opposing the proposals and describing the damage ‘harmful human rights laws’ were doing to the Armed Forces.
