Veterans Legal Protections 2025-05-21
2025-05-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the troubles face potential politically motivated trials. Seven hundred and twenty-two soldiers were killed by paramilitary murderers, but no deaths will be revisited.
Seven hundred and twenty-two of our soldiers were killed by paramilitary murderers during the troubles. Not one of those deaths will be revisited. Because of the current circumstances, however, hundreds of brave men—who, as the Secretary of State says, served their country with honour, patriotism and integrity—face a sword of Damocles of politically motivated trials hanging over them. I can think of no better example of two-tier justice. Whatever the Government do, they have to take that away, and do so in a way that cannot be circumvented by clever, politically motivated lawyers. Will he give the House an undertaking that he will do that?
I agree with what the former Defence Secretary said in 2019. He said: ‘The British Army uphold British values, which is the rule of law, and that’s what we stand for.’ I advise the right hon. Gentleman to be a little bit careful about using the phrase “politically motivated” prosecutions—I hope I have correctly quoted him. Let us be clear: decisions about any prosecutions, in any cases, are taken by the independent Public Prosecution Service, which is entirely separate from the Executive.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a specific commitment to ensure legal protections for veterans or prevent politically motivated trials. Instead, he advised caution about using the phrase 'politically motivated' and referred to independent decision-making by the Public Prosecution Service.
Advising Caution
Referred To Independence Of Prosecution Service
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A petition supporting veterans received over 90,000 signatures. The Labour party manifesto promised to scrap the legacy Act but has yet to present an alternative.
I strongly support the petition brought forward by my right hon. Friend the Member for Goole and Pocklington (David Davis). As of this morning, it has more than 90,000 signatures, showing the strength of public feeling on this issue. Almost a year ago, the Labour party published its manifesto, saying that it would scrap the legacy Act, yet it has still presented no alternative. Victims are in limbo, and veterans are in limbo. The last Labour Government handed out letters of comfort for terrorists, but nothing for elderly veterans. When will the Secretary of State finally show the House his plans, and how can veterans have confidence that they will get the protection they deserve?
We have begun the process of repealing and replacing the legacy Act in the proposed draft remedial order. It will deal with the conditional immunity that was struck down by the courts, and which we came into office committed to remove because it did not command support across Northern Ireland, as it would have given immunity to terrorists, including those who killed the soldiers to whom the right hon. Member for Goole and Pocklington (David Davis) referred earlier. I intend to bring forward legislation to complete that process when parliamentary time allows, because this Government inherited a completely hopeless piece of legislation, which has been found time and again to be incompatible with our international obligations.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific plans or timelines for presenting the draft remedial order or gaining confidence from veterans. He instead focused on repealing conditional immunity and addressing past issues with the legacy Act.
Focusing On Repeal Process
Mentioning Inherited Legislation
Response accuracy