Sir Ashley Fox MP has called on the Government to end what he described as the “unfair treatment” of British veterans, warning that pursuing those who served their country risks undermining morale and deterring future recruits to the armed forces.
Speaking in a parliamentary debate on defence, Ashley said veterans who served during Operation Banner are being treated “like criminals” despite carrying out the duties asked of them in protecting the United Kingdom. He warned that continuing to reopen historic cases sends a damaging signal at a time when Britain needs to strengthen its armed forces.
He said, “Terrorists who murdered British soldiers have effectively been granted an amnesty, but veterans who served the British state are being hounded for doing what they were ordered to do. That is fundamentally wrong. The time has come to stop relitigating these events. We should be standing by our veterans, not putting them through years of legal uncertainty.” Ashley criticised the Government’s decision to repeal previous legislation intended to address legacy issues, warning that it risks prolonging uncertainty for those who served.
Ashley used the debate to press ministers on the need for a clear defence investment plan, warning that delay and a lack of direction risk weakening the UK’s military capability. He said the global security environment has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War, pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as evidence that stronger defence investment is required. While welcoming the commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, he criticised the absence of detail on how that funding will be delivered.
Ashley Fox said, “The world of today is not the world of 1991. We face a far more dangerous and uncertain global environment, and it is clear that we need to invest more in our armed forces. The Government have promised to increase defence spending, but a year on we are still waiting for a proper plan. Where is the defence investment plan?”
Speaking after the debate Ashley said:
“It is important that MPs scrutinise this government’s failure to protect our veterans. I was disappointed to see that no Reform UK MPs participated in this debate. They talk a lot on social media but don’t hold this government to account.”
