The Tories will today vow to do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect Northern Ireland veterans from vexatious claims if the party enters government.
In a major boost for the Daily Mail’s Stop the SAS Betrayal campaign, the Conservatives will pledge to restore full legal protections for veterans of the Troubles.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told this newspaper she would ensure British troops ‘won’t have to fight in future conflicts with one hand tied behind their backs’.
She said it is only by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) that the party can make the promise to veterans with confidence while remaining compliant with other laws.
Labour‘s decision to repeal the Legacy Act has left soldiers fearing they could face criminal charges.
More than 200,000 people have signed a petition saying the Government should not make ‘changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of ‘Operation Banner’.’
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge vowed that the next Tory government would ‘absolutely guarantee the protection of veterans from vexatious claims’.
Labour said it would remove protections in the Legacy Act after judges found its provisions were incompatible with the ECHR.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told this newspaper she would ensure British troops ‘won’t have to fight in future conflicts with one hand tied behind their backs’ (file image)
In legal advice to the party published last week, Tory peer Lord Wolfson said the ECHR is a ‘major obstacle to doing justice to veterans who served in Northern Ireland, and to protecting current personnel from being subject to unfair process in future’. Pictured: The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, eastern France
But the Tories believe leaving the Convention will enable them to restore such protections.
In legal advice to the party published last week, Tory peer Lord Wolfson said the ECHR is a ‘major obstacle to doing justice to veterans who served in Northern Ireland, and to protecting current personnel from being subject to unfair process in future’.
He added that there is a ‘real risk’ the Overseas Operations Act could also be found to be incompatible with the Convention.
Mr Cartlidge said: ‘Lord Wolfson is absolutely crystal clear that we cannot fully protect our veterans whilst remaining in the ECHR and that’s a very sobering thought… If we came back into government, we would do whatever it takes to repeal any legislation [Labour] put in place and put in new legislation to ensure that we absolutely guarantee the protection of veterans from vexatious claims.’
Mr Cartlidge added that the Legacy Act had ‘helped veterans to sleep soundly in their beds’, but Labour’s decision to repeal it ‘puts the sword of Damocles back above the head of every veteran of Northern Ireland’.
‘And the knock-on effect on morale, for the wider Armed Forces, with the threats we face is unacceptable. And we know from Lord Wolfson it could even affect future deployment, so this isn’t just about veterans – it’s about those who serve today.’
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge (pictured) vowed that the next Tory government would ‘absolutely guarantee the protection of veterans from vexatious claims’
Mrs Badenoch told the Daily Mail: ‘This is not just about loyalty to those who have fought for our country, it’s about national security and ensuring our troops won’t have to fight in future conflicts with one hand tied behind their backs. The Labour Government has once again capitulated to human rights lawyers on this.
‘When a future Conservative government leaves the ECHR, we will be able protect our Armed Forces so they are not subjected to vexatious legal challenge by those who have no idea what it’s like to put your life at risk and fight for your country.’
Mr Cartlidge also praised this newspaper’s campaign, saying: ‘I want to thank Daily Mail readers for your support. The petition is now over 200,000 signatures, it forced a debate in Parliament and it shows that the public care massively about this.’
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Tories vow to do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect NI veterans from witch-hunts – as Kemi Badenoch pledges British troops ‘won’t have to fight future conflicts with one hand tied behind their backs’