Can Al Carns’ Honour Survive Westminster’s Troubles Bill Spin?

No doubt Al Carns is a decorated soldier who served with honour. The question is whether that honour can survive being used as political cover for a Bill that leaves veterans exposed to persecution

Al Carns has turned to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Forces News to defend his role in shaping new legislation for Northern Ireland veterans after accusations of “selling out” and prioritising his political career.

One thing that really troubles veterans about the Troubles Bill is the way the Government keeps wheeling out Carns to defend it.

Nobody doubts that Al Carns is a decorated soldier who served with honour. That service deserves respect.

But ministers are leaning on his medals and Afghanistan record to sell a set of so-called “protections” for veterans that are, in reality, little more than legal niceties and admin tweaks – remote evidence, anonymity, advisory panels and the like. Helpful for officials, maybe.

They don’t change the basic fact that NI veterans can still be dragged back into the dock decades later for split-second decisions made in a dirty, political conflict.

Carns comes from a different time, a different war and, in many ways, a different army. He has very little direct experience of Northern Ireland or Operation Banner. That campaign began without proper manuals or clear doctrines for a long-term internal security operation.

Yes, there were rules of engagement. But they were constantly evolving, often unclear at the sharp end and heavily shaped by shifting political demands. Soldiers were left to work it out on the streets.

Using an Afghanistan officer to front this Bill allows ministers to hide behind “military credibility” while ignoring the particular realities of NI.

The issue is not Carns’ courage or conduct in uniform.

The real question is whether that honour can survive being used as political cover for legislation that still leaves Northern Ireland veterans in the firing line.