Mercer has emotional exchange with fellow 29 Commando veteran kicked out for being gay
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer shared an emotional exchange when he came face to face with a fellow veteran of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, who was dishonourably discharged from the Armed Forces for being gay in the 1970s.
The meeting took place outside a Government building on Whitehall – on the day Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised for the "horrific" historical treatment of LGBT people serving in the military.
In the exchange, Mr Mercer is heard saying "are you serious?" and "today is such a good day," before personally apologising for his fellow 29 Commando veteran's experience at the hands of the military.
The veteran, Tremaine Cornish, later told Forces News that today's apology and acknowledgment from the Prime Minister marked a significant milestone in the journey from the lifting of the ban on LGBT people serving in the military, 23 years ago.
Forces News previously spoke to Mr Cornish about his experience in the Armed Forces, when he described it as "offensive, just demeaning, and humiliating".
"My locker was searched. I was sent for a medical examination with a Navy doctor even though I'd served in the Army – that's because I was down in Plymouth with the commando forces.
"I was interrogated further as to who did what with whom and how... did I like wearing women's underwear etc etc.
"Offensive, just demeaning, and humiliating. The examination from the doctor was to examine parts of me to see if they could find proof."
Alongside the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, in a statement to the Commons about the treatment of LGBT veterans, he was "deeply sorry" on behalf of the Government and the military.
Mr Wallace, in his statement, told MPs he "was struck by one particular quote in the report from a veteran who said 'I don't feel like I'm a veteran, I've never asked for help, I don't feel like my service was recognised'".
"Today we want to say to all those ex-soldiers, sailors and aviators, many now in retirement, you are one of us, you belong in our community and in choosing to put yourself in harm's way for the good of your colleagues, your community and country, you have proven yourselves the best of us," he said.
"I say again to the veterans' community, I'm deeply sorry for what happened to you. The very tolerance and values of Western democracy that we expected you to fight for, we denied to you. It was profoundly wrong.
"I am determined as Defence Secretary, and as a veteran, to do all I can do today to right those historic wrongs so that you can once again take pride in your service and inspire future generations to follow in your footsteps."
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