Mark Francois: No “Two Tier Justice” for our Northern Ireland Veterans

 Rt Hon Mark Francois MP is Shadow Armed Forces Minister.

For over three decades, under “Operation Banner” more than 300,000 British soldiers served in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, one of the most perilous and politically fraught periods in modern British history. These troops, many recruited from working-class Northern towns in what we would now call “Red Wall” constituencies, faced relentless bombings, sniper fire, and ambushes.

Over 760 soldiers lost their lives, and more than 6,000 were seriously wounded, many bearing life-changing physical and psychological scars. These brave men and women risked everything to protect communities scarred by the same violence, striving to uphold the rule of law in the deeply divided Province.

Yet, today, these veterans face a profound betrayal from the Labour Government, which plans to repeal key parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. This legislation was designed to shield veterans from the relentless cycle of investigations and re-investigations, often driven by political groupings like Sinn Féin. The proposed changes, now led by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, strip away these protections, exposing veterans to renewed investigations, for actions taken decades ago, often in a split-second, in the line of duty.

Even more shocking, a related ‘Remedial Order”, already backed by Labour MPs in a preliminary Committee vote but opposed by Conservatives, could open up veterans to re-investigation, whilst at the same time allowing figures like Gerry Adams to sue the British taxpayer, under the guise of the Human Rights Act. Despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s assurances during Prime Minister’s Questions, back in January, that he would prevent such an outcome, the Order remains unchanged, containing provisions that enable this injustice. This creates a glaring “two-tier justice” system: one for veterans who served with courage and another for those who were, in many cases, their adversaries. How any self-respecting Labour MP could vote for this in the autumn and then face their constituents, thereafter, defies belief.

Indeed, the Prime Minister’s response to a detailed question from Sir David Davis MP during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 9 July, was particularly telling. Rather than addressing the gravity of the issue, Starmer was dismissive, even disdainful, downplaying a matter that resonates deeply with veterans and their supporters, as “political point-scoring.” His flippant attitude, which was met with absolute silence from his own Labour MPs behind him, underscores a troubling disconnect. This is not merely a legal or historical issue—it is now a very real litmus test for this Government’s commitment to the Armed Forces.

Linked to this, the Government’s actions extend beyond this legislative betrayal. The effective demotion of the Veterans Minister from a Cabinet position to a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, even one as distinguished as the current officeholder, signals a deliberate downgrading of the veterans’ voice, in the corridors of power. This move, coupled with what Labour are now proposing, reflects a growing detachment from the veterans’ community, particularly those who served on Operation Banner.

At a time when, similarly to our other “Five Eyes” partners, the British Army faces a recruitment and retention crisis, these decisions threaten deepen disillusionment among serving personnel, who may rightly question whether this Government- dominated as it is by human rights lawyers- truly “has their back.”

The publics outrage is now palpable. A Parliamentary petition titled “Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecution,” launched by the veterans themselves, has surged past 167,000 signatures in just over two months, securing a debate in Parliament scheduled for today.

This petition reflects widespread anger at the Government’s apparent prioritisation of human rights lawyers and figures like Adams over those who defended the nation. The debate will hopefully force Labour MPs to confront this issue head-on, especially as they return to their constituencies during the upcoming recess, where they may face constituents angered by the harsh treatment of veterans and the perceived rewarding of those who waged a 30-year campaign against the British people and their respective Governments.

The implications of these actions are profound. A nation that forgets the sacrifices of its soldiers risks losing the trust of those who would serve in the future. The courage of Operation Banner veterans, who endured brutal chaos to protect communities, deserves unwavering support, not betrayal. The Government’s willingness to prioritise political expediency over justice undermines the morale of current and future soldiers, who see their predecessors hounded while their adversaries are seemingly empowered.

In the context of this, the Royal British Legion has now called for the Government to urgently provide clarity on their intent regarding the process of legacy prosecutions, as they believe that the anxiety and uncertainty created by the current situation is “unfair and is having a substantial negative impact on veterans and their families.”

Similarly, in a joint statement on Thursday 10 July, the Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Veterans Commissioners, have said that they are “deeply concerned” by the prospect of retrospective legal action being taken against veterans who were carrying out their lawful duties, often under immense pressure and threat. Inconsistent application of justice – particularly where it revisits incidents already thoroughly investigated, in some cases multiple times over – serves only to re-traumatise veterans and undermine public confidence. They have therefore, quite rightfully, urged the Government to “resist any changes to legislation that would re-open legal uncertainty for veterans of Operation Banner.”

This is a moment for the public to help defend those who defended us. The petition is still open and offers a chance to show support for Northern Ireland veterans and demand an end to this politically driven harassment.

It is a call to ensure that history is not rewritten, to benefit Sinn Fein and to seek to vilify those who served with honour instead. There can be absolutely no moral equivalence, between the soldiers who were serving the Crown, and those murderous terrorists – both Republican and so-called Loyalist- that they were seeking to oppose, to uphold the civil order and institutions at the time.

Moreover, Labour’s ill-advised changes to the Legacy Act threaten to erode the bond between the nation and its Armed Forces. By exposing veterans to further investigations, whilst potentially enabling figures like Adams to exploit the legal system – and sue the British taxpayer – all in the name of “upholding human rights”; the Government risks alienating those it relies on to defend the nation.

If Labour presses ahead regardless, they must remember a simple truth: a nation that betrays its soldiers’ past sacrifices undermines the trust of those who would serve tomorrow. Justice for our veterans must prevail.

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