About JusticeForVeterans.uk
JusticeForVeterans.uk (JFV) exists to support fair treatment under the law for those who have served their country.
The site began following a letter published in The Times on 8 October 2024 by three former senior members of the Special Air Service — Aldwin Wight, George Simm, and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton — who warned of the consequences of applying modern human rights law retrospectively to military operations conducted decades earlier.
While that letter focused on the experience of SAS veterans, the issues it raised extend far beyond any single regiment, cap badge or branch of service.
Questions surrounding legacy investigations, retrospective legal action, historical allegations and the relationship between military operations and civilian legal frameworks affect the wider Armed Forces community. They also raise important questions about the Military Covenant, democratic accountability, operational decision-making and the willingness of future generations to serve.
JFV is not a membership organisation, lobbying group or veterans’ association.
Instead, it seeks to act as a catalyst.
The purpose is to provide information, encourage informed discussion, support respectful civic engagement and help connect people who share concerns about the treatment of veterans and service personnel under the law.
The site does not seek to speak on behalf of veterans. Veterans are fully capable of speaking for themselves. Nor does it seek to direct campaigns or control activity undertaken by others.
Its role is to help make information accessible, preserve important material, highlight relevant developments, and encourage citizens, veterans, families, and supporters to engage constructively in public debate.
The long-term objective is simple: to contribute to a fair, balanced and informed discussion about military service, legal accountability and the obligations owed by a nation to those it asks to serve in its name.
The Letter That Started the Conversation
Defending the SAS
“Thirty years after being the command team of 22 SAS, we are setting aside reservations about discussing our service because the individuals we led then are gravely threatened today.
Since the introduction of the Human Rights Act into British law in 1998, and the incremental supremacy of the European Convention on Human Rights over our laws, there has existed no fair legal framework for British counter-terrorist operations. This is a dangerous failure of democracy and a repudiation of the military covenant between the British people, their government and the armed forces.
The result has been successive governments funding predominantly vexatious compensation cases against British soldiers who did their duty to the best of their abilities and are now being hounded for it. Those units of the armed forces charged with the final sanction of protecting British people from terrorists may soon lack volunteers of the right calibre, making the government’s first duty — protecting its citizens — unattainable.
We ask the new government to activate Article 15 of the ECHR, offered to signatories as a means, ‘in times of war and other public emergencies’, of derogating Article 2, now being retrospectively applied to pursue those who put themselves in harm’s way for us. The public deserves to know about this betrayal of their SAS veterans, who need their support, not least so that others like them will step forward in the future.”
Aldwin Wight, Commanding Officer, 22 SAS (1992–94)
George Simm, Regimental Sergeant Major, 22 SAS (1992–94)
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Squadron Commander, 22 SAS (1991–94)
Editorial Policy on Bylines
At Justice for Veterans UK, our editorial policy reflects our commitment to collective responsibility and objectivity. In most cases, articles and content on our website will be published without individual bylines. This approach aligns with our mission to prioritise the voice and cause of justice for veterans, rather than the individual authors.
We believe that by focusing on the collective nature of our work, we can ensure that the issues and perspectives related to veterans' rights and well-being remain at the forefront, unclouded by individual identities.
Our content aims to represent a wide array of voices and expertise within the veteran community and beyond, emphasising our shared commitment to meaningful change.
However, in certain instances, content may feature a byline. This may occur when a specific contributor or expert offers insight that requires individual attribution, or when their personal expertise is relevant to the topic at hand. Contributors who are featured by name will be those whose knowledge or experience we believe adds significant value to our work.
Ultimately, our goal is to maintain a clear, focused, and united voice that serves the interests of veterans while upholding the values of justice, transparency, and integrity.
