Full debate on LGBT+ veterans' compensation to take place next year, Govt confirms
Defence Minister Andrew Murrison has confirmed that a full debate on the Etherton report and how LGBT+ veterans may be entitled to compensation will be going ahead next year.
This announcement comes after Fighting With Pride and other charities signed an open letter calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to honour a promise to hold a parliamentary debate on the best way to make reparations to LGBT+ veterans.
Lord Etherton's report, which was published in July, was an independent review into the experience of LGBT+ veterans who served prior to 2000.
The former master of the rolls and head of civil justice's report heard about the experiences of 1,145 veterans who served between 1967 and 2000.
It found there had been an "incomprehensible policy of homophobic bigotry" in the Armed Forces, with veterans being subjected to homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults, "disgraceful" medical examinations and conversion therapy.
Following the publishing of the Government-commissioned review, Mr Sunak in July apologised for the "horrific" historical treatment of LGBT people who served in the Armed Forces.
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary at the time, said he was "deeply sorry" on behalf of the Government and the military.
Fighting with Pride, which penned the open letter co-signed by The Royal British Legion, Help For Heroes, the Women's Royal Army Corps Association and Age UK, had believed that the expected follow-on debate would be replaced by just a statement to the Commons.
Government accepting the 'intent'
In a ministerial statement to MPs, the Defence Minister said: "I can announce we are accepting the intent behind all 49 of Lord Etherton’s recommendations. In fact to date, we have already implemented almost half of them.
"We have established a legacy website to host the review, the Government’s response and information collected by the review, including testimonies."
Dr Murrison said the Government was focusing on the "non-combat mental health impacts of the ban".
The Ministry of Defence said: "When considering our response to the review, the Government has engaged with those impacted by the ban, organisations, networks and other government departments to ensure that we were guided by the voices of those affected, ensuring that the response is comprehensive and provides the best outcomes for those involved.
"We are committed to delivering restorative action and encourage those affected to visit the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps- GOV.UK to access the support available, and apply for and register their interest in The Ministry of Defence's restorative measures."
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The way that LGBT personnel were treated between 1967 and 2000 was unacceptable.
"Our response to Lord Etherton's review demonstrates the positive action we are taking to help rectify this regrettable chapter in the history of the Armed Forces.
"The Government's response is part of our commitment in supporting our LGBT veterans in every way possible. We encourage LGBT veterans to register on the Gov.UK page to allow us to continue to right the wrongs of the past."
Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer said: "A key part of the Office for Veterans' Affairs' work is ensuring that veterans from across society have their service recognised - and that's why we commissioned this review.
"The treatment of LGBT serving personnel pre-2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today's Armed Forces. "I am pleased that today we are updating Parliament and the veteran community on the action we are taking to correct past mistakes, including creating a memorial in recognition of all LGBT people who have served and continue to serve in the military."
'LGBT veterans will never be forgotten'
LGBT veterans will never be forgotten, Dr Murrison said as he called on those serving under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality to apply for compensation.
Speaking in the Commons he said: "We are throwing open the front door to our LGBT veterans. Today we ask them to apply or register an interest for restorative measures that are relevant to them, individual apology letters, return of berets and cap badges, amendments to veterans' service history, the addition of more personal testimony to evidence collected by the review.
"Testimony which will eventually become part of the historic record of the national archive, signalling that our LGBT veterans will never be forgotten, signalling that 33 years of national shame will never be expunged, affirming and celebrating their part in our country's history.
"I would strongly urge colleagues across the House to encourage LGBT constituents to come forward."
He added: "Importantly, the form will also allow veterans to indicate their interest in applying for a financial award when eligibility is confirmed and that scheme goes live."
You can read the Government's response to the Etherton Review here.
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