Army

Special Forces chiefs back NI veterans protesting against repeal of Legacy Act

Special Forces chiefs back NI veterans' protest

Veterans who served during The Troubles who have been protesting against the possible repeal of the Legacy Act have the support of the heads of UK Special Forces.

BFBS Forces News has seen a joint letter from the heads of the UK's three most elite military units written to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

The chiefs of the Special Air Service, Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment said they were "increasingly worried" about the new legislation.

They wrote: "Far from helping with reconciliation, continuing to use criminal and judicial proceedings to deal with the legacy of The Troubles is likely to keep old wounds open and inflict new ones on veterans as their mental wellbeing suffers.

"A fact not lost on those serving now or who might want to serve with UKSF in the future.

"We are convinced that it is time to draw a line under events which will otherwise never be satisfactorily concluded."

The legislation they're all talking about is the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 – often referred to as The Legacy Act.

The current Government says repealing the Act is the right thing to do as keeping it in place would also would have offered immunity to terrorists (Picture: Alamy) — The current Government says repealing the Act is the right thing to do as keeping it in place would also have offered immunity to terrorists (Picture: Alamy)

It was brought in by the Conservatives to prevent what they called "vexatious claims" against elderly service personnel for alleged offences committed on duty in Northern Ireland decades earlier.

But Northern Irish Courts found parts of the Act to be unlawful.

The current Labour Government is committed to withdrawing it and replacing it with something it says will be "fair, lawful and respectful of those who served".

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he and Defence Secretary John Healey were engaging with the veteran community and other interested parties about future legislation.

He said they would ensure "far better protections" were put in place.

Mr Benn said: "The Legacy Act has been rejected in Northern Ireland and found by our domestic courts to be unlawful, not least because it would have offered immunity to terrorists."

But veterans protesting on the streets aren't convinced.