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Northern Ireland Veterans: Prosecution
14 July 2025
Lead MP
John Lamont
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Con
Responding Minister
Hilary Benn
Tags
Northern Ireland
Word Count: 26844
Other Contributors: 37
At a Glance
John Lamont raised concerns about northern ireland veterans: prosecution in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government is urged to reconsider their decision to repeal the legacy Act and protect soldiers from prosecution for actions taken decades ago while following government orders.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition has been signed by more than 170,000 people expressing concern about the prosecution of Northern Ireland veterans who served in Operation Banner. The debate highlights the political and legal attack on veterans, with concerns over the repeal of the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Alex Ballinger discusses his military service and emphasizes the distinction between those who served with integrity and those involved in criminal activities during conflicts. He argues against granting immunity to paramilitaries and supports victims' rights to seek justice. Noted that only one veteran has been prosecuted in 13 years and received a suspended sentence, highlighted the importance of protections for veterans, and emphasised the need to change the legislation. Asked Mr Francois twice if he would give way during his speech.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Tributes military personnel and discusses concerns over potential prosecutions based on evidence from decades ago. Asks for clarity on how the Government will honor their duty towards veterans.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
Stresses the importance of truth and reconciliation, noting the need to replace the legacy Act with something akin to South Africa's process.
Danny Kruger
Con
East Wiltshire
Emphasised that there is no equivalence between a terrorist and a soldier appointed to protect democracy and the country.
Highlighted potential prosecutions stemming from the Clonoe inquiry as a concern for veterans' protection.
David Mundell
Con
in the Chair
Ordered short interventions during the debate, maintaining order.
David Reed
Con
Exmouth and Exeter East
Asked the Secretary of State to give way during the debate.
David Smith
Lab
North Northumberland
Questions Sir Julian Lewis on how victims can pursue justice under the legacy Act and highlights its limitations compared to a South African-style truth and reconciliation commission.
West Dunbartonshire
Asked if the hon. Member could confirm that investigations into the deaths of over 200 Operation Banner soldiers were shut down due to the unlawful nature of the legacy Act against families' wishes.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Thanks Members for contributions and petitioners for bringing the issue to public attention.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Representing her constituency home to the 22nd SAS Regiment, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the 18th Signal Regiment, she highlighted concerns about the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. She mentioned over 1,000 signatories in support of the petition from her constituents.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
She agrees with her hon. Friend's point that the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, should be sacked for his unpatriotic views and suggests that everyone should stand by veterans.
Fred Thomas
Lab
Plymouth Moor View
Discussed the need for balance in prosecuting IRA terrorists and protecting veterans, highlighting concerns about the Act's impact on veterans' rights.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Acknowledged the sacrifice of 1,441 armed forces personnel in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner and criticised the Labour Government's release of IRA prisoners, highlighting the importance of justice for victims.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Recognises the need for a cross-party approach and supports efforts to protect veterans' interests, highlighting the importance of trust in rebuilding confidence in the process.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Pointed out that no Minister has provided reassurance regarding protection for veterans against malicious lawfare despite the current legislation's inadequacies.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Stressed the importance of distinguishing between those who planned violent acts and law enforcement officers, expressing concern about the impact on veterans due to historical investigations.
Epsom and Ewell
Asked if the hon. Member agreed that equal application of the rule of law was in the interests of both veterans and serving personnel, highlighting honourable service records.
Jesse Norman
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
He inquires why the Government did not oppose sections 46 and 47 when they were in opposition, questioning whether supporting them was wrong. He highlighted that his constituency had the highest proportion of constituents signing the petition with 1,159 signatures. He spoke about the impact on veterans who have faced legal challenges. Asks about the legality of decisions regarding appeals to the Supreme Court and questions whether the decision was based on law.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Expresses gratitude for military service during Northern Ireland's darkest days and criticizes the current inquest process, arguing it is poisoning justice through prejudicial findings.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He seeks guidance to participate in the other debate in the main Chamber as MPs from Northern Ireland cannot attend both debates simultaneously. Commended the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk for setting the scene on behalf of the Petitions Committee and spoke about the unjust prosecutions against veterans.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Served four tours in Northern Ireland and dedicated three and a half years to trying to bring peace. Described the use of coffee jar bombs by IRA and the dilemma soldiers faced under rules of engagement. Stressed the importance of protecting veterans from retrial after rigorous judicial process.
Louise Jones
Lab
North East Derbyshire
She acknowledges the service of British service personnel who worked on protecting communities in Northern Ireland and highlights that the legacy Act gives immunity to terrorists, which is abhorrent. She also mentions an article about Tony Harrison's family launching a legal challenge against the Act. Clarified that she did not intend to suggest veterans were naive about the Bill's details and defended against accusations of scaremongering without evidence.
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Asked whether the repealing of legislation was damaging recruitment levels in the military.
Requested to interject but was not given the opportunity by Hilary Benn.
Paul Foster
Lab
South Ribble
Highlights that the previous Government pushed through an unlawful legacy Act in 2023. He expresses concern over the politicisation of veterans and misinformation spread by Conservative MPs.
Olly Glover
LD
Didcot and Wantage
Praised the points made but questioned if the Act being defended had not been opposed by all major political parties in Northern Ireland.
Tiverton and Minehead
Expressed concern over sensitive issues raised by her constituents, including meetings with the Minister for Veterans, focusing on orders given higher up the chain of command rather than pursuing non-commissioned veterans.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Asked whether the state risks shifting responsibility onto personnel who swear an oath of allegiance, highlighting the risk of 'sloping shoulders'.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Recited a poem about Northern Ireland's veterans, emphasizing their service and sacrifice. Highlighted the unique challenges faced by members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, Royal Irish Regiment, and Royal Ulster Constabulary who returned home to potential threats. Emphasized the fear among Northern Ireland veterans that they may face legal consequences for past actions taken during service. Highlighted concerns over the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) being undermined by external forces.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Intervened to highlight that dragging soldiers to court is not about justice but rewriting history, which constitutes harassment and injustice towards those who served.
Sarah Pochin
Reform
Runcorn and Helsby
Critiqued the Government's treatment of Northern Ireland veterans, citing personal experience with a family member who served during the troubles. She argued that these individuals deserve respect rather than prosecution.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Stressed that ongoing court cases haunt veterans who already suffer from PTSD, emphasizing a deliberate campaign to bring prosecutions.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Emphasised that Parliament is supreme and highlighted concerns about human rights legislation being applied in unintended ways, undermining sovereignty.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Marveled at the remarkable restraint shown by British soldiers in dealing with IRA cases. Stressed that the pursuit of veterans is vexatious, with some never making it to court and dying before trial, and argued against comparing cases where only one veteran was found guilty when many others were pursued.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Questioned if the hon. Member had mentioned the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 and its implications for equality and compromise in accountability. Expressed concern about legislation granting immunity to terrorists and questioned whether such protections for veterans were worth it if they also shielded criminals from prosecution. He referenced a previous Defence Committee report on legal options.
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
Asked if the hon. Member was saying that veterans who served on Op Banner are naive and misunderstand the situation. Asked the Government if they would reopen cases. Emphasised personal experience as a veteran of Northern Ireland operations, arguing for the importance of pre-deployment training and adherence to rules of engagement. Raises concerns about the impact on veterans from the investigations, questioning the number of people who have actually had to give evidence or face legal actions.
Government Response
Hilary Benn
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Government Response
Acknowledges the fears of veterans and reiterates that the Government takes their concerns seriously. Explains that the legacy Act is unlawful, not illegal, and highlights that only one soldier has been convicted since the Good Friday agreement while many terrorists were tried and convicted during the troubles.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.