Starmer's Ukraine Plan Raises Spectre of Northern Ireland Witch Hunts
As Labour Leader promises British boots on the ground in Ukraine, veterans demand guarantees against decades of legal persecution
Sir Keir Starmer's statement about deploying British troops to Ukraine raises serious questions about protections for our servicemen and women. While he speaks of putting troops "in harm's way”, there's a deafening silence about what safeguards will be in place to protect them from legal persecution years after their service.
We've seen how veterans of Northern Ireland have faced decades of investigations and legal proceedings, with elderly servicemen dragged through the courts over actions taken in the heat of conflict.
Now, as we contemplate sending our forces into another complex military situation in Ukraine, what assurances can the Government provide that these brave men and women won't face similar treatment?
The parallels are concerning. Like The Troubles, the conflict in Ukraine involves operating in civilian areas with complex rules of engagement. Our soldiers could face split-second decisions that lawyers might spend years dissecting in the comfort of peaceful courtrooms.
Before committing our troops to Ukraine's defence, the Government must answer these crucial questions:
What concrete legal protections will be put in place to shield our service members from vexatious claims years after their service?
How will the Government ensure that legitimate military decisions made under battlefield conditions aren't second-guessed by human rights lawyers decades later?
Will there be a statute of limitations on future investigations into military operations in Ukraine?
Our armed forces deserve to know they can serve their country without fear of facing a legal witch hunt in their retirement years. The treatment of Northern Ireland veterans stands as a stark warning — we cannot allow another generation of British soldiers to be left vulnerable to the same fate.