Starmer Honours Fallen Troops While Dodging Veterans' Legal Protection Questions

Labour leader pays tribute to Afghanistan casualties but gives vague response on Northern Ireland veterans' concerns

LONDON 05 March 2025: Sir Keir Starmer opened today’s Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQs) by paying tribute to young British troops who died 13 years ago this week, serving their country.

“Six young British soldiers were on patrol in Afghanistan when their vehicle was struck by an explosive, tragically killing them all,” he said.

On 6 March 2012, Sgt Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed alongside Cpl Jake Hartley, 20, Pte Anthony Frampton, 20, Pte Christopher Kershaw, 19, Pte Daniel Wade, 20, and Pte Daniel Wilford, 21, all of 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment.

The attack, which was so powerful it turned their vehicle upside down and blew off its gun turret, was the biggest single loss of life since the 2006 Nimrod crash that killed 14 personnel and involved the largest number of fatalities in a land attack. Their deaths raised the total British forces and MoD civilian deaths in the war-torn region to over 400 since operations began in October 2001.

The PM also marked the 18th anniversary of Benjamin Reddy’s death. On 6th March 2007, 22-year-old Reddy, serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines, was killed when his unit came under fire during a clearance operation in Helmand Province.

“These men fought and died for their country, our country. And across the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 642 individuals died fighting for Britain alongside our allies, many more were wounded. We will never forget their bravery and their sacrifice, and I know the whole house will join me in remembering them and all those who serve our country.”

The PM’s tribute has been variously reported in the media as a “coded rebuke”, “very obviously, a rebuke”, or even Starmer “hits back” at US Vice President JD Vance for his “random country” jibe, but a prime minister’s spokesman refused to comment on whether the words were addressed to Vance.

After dismissing the idea of sending peacekeeping troops from “some random country”, JD Vance has faced sharp criticism from some MPs. He subsequently denied that the idea included Britain and France.

When Richard Foord (Lib Dem) asked the PM if he would “gently remind” the US government of the historic sacrifices made by British forces as a friend to the US, Starmer responded: “I thank him for raising this and I know he speaks for the whole house. We do remember the role that we’ve played historically with our allies, and we particularly remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice in that duty for their country and for our allies, and that’s why it’s so important that we make that point today.”

So, we’ll take that as a “no”, then?

Later in PMQs, Sir David Davis (Con) asked the PM about the government’s duty to provide legal protections to serving soldiers.

“Four weeks ago, the Northern Ireland coroner accused British soldiers of unlawful killing after they engaged with IRAwould-be murderers. After careful reading, as far as I can see, this judgment was based on no evidence whatsoever. Over 100 Special Forces soldiers have been summoned before these inquiries. Not one IRA leader has been summoned in the same way,” said Davis.

“Soldiers that serve our country with honour, heroism, and skill are being punished in their declining years for doing nothing but carrying out their patriotic duty…Given how he opened his comments today, which I associate myself with, does he not think that he and his government have a duty to protect these soldiers from such partisan parodies of justice in their declining years?”

Starmer said he couldn’t comment on the coroner’s ruling because he hadn’t seen details. He then went on to say: “On the broader point, it’s right that we should protect those who serve our country wherever they serve our country. Getting the balance right is critically important. I didn’t think that the legislation that was put forward by the party opposite achieved that, but nonetheless I do believe that in the interest of everybody in Northern Ireland, all those who served and all those who are victims, we do need to renew our efforts to find a way forward on this really important issue.”

Perhaps he could pass that onto the ECHR apologist, Lord Hermer, who he appointed as Attorney General. Lord Hermer has pursued veterans for decades.