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Joint Statement from the Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

In Support of the Motion for Debate in Westminster on 14 July 2025:

“We think that the Government should not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland Veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of ‘Operation Banner’ (1969–2007).”

As Veterans Commissioners for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, we stand united in our firm support of the motion to be debated in Westminster on 14 July 2025.

Operation Banner represents the longest continuous deployment in British military history. For nearly four decades, over 250,000 service personnel were deployed in Northern Ireland under extremely complex and dangerous circumstances. They operated under the rule of law, with discipline, professionalism, and courage, often at great personal cost including the loss of 1,441 lives.

Many of these individuals now live with the physical and psychological scars of their service. They deserve the enduring recognition and gratitude of a nation that called on them to serve during one of its most challenging periods.

We believe strongly in the principles of justice and accountability. However, we are deeply concerned by the prospect of retrospective legal action being taken against veterans who were carrying out their lawful duties, often under immense pressure and threat. Inconsistent application of justice - particularly where it revisits incidents already thoroughly investigated - serves only to retraumatise veterans and undermine public confidence.

There can be no moral equivalence between those who served in uniform to uphold peace and the rule of law, and those who sought to destroy it through acts of terrorism.

As Commissioners we have advocated strongly on behalf of veterans to the Minister for Veterans and People to ensure there are proper safeguards in place for all veterans, but particularly our most vulnerable veterans, who served to deliver peace and security to the communities of Northern Ireland.

We urge the Government to resist any changes to legislation that would re-open legal uncertainty for veterans of Operation Banner. Any proposed changes must be measured, fair, and informed by the voices of veterans themselves - many of whom have already endured decades of scrutiny and hardship.

This is not a call for immunity from the law, but for fairness under it. Veterans deserve clarity, finality, and respect for their service. We support this motion as a necessary reaffirmation of that principle.