Veterans launch fightback against Labour's Northern Ireland 'persecution'
Former troops vow to persuade voters to reject Labour at the polls over 'betrayal' of veterans
Northern Ireland veterans are mobilising at polling stations nationwide to fight back against Labour's stance on prosecuting former servicemen.
The Northern Ireland Veterans Movement (NIVM) is deploying veterans to local election polling stations from May 1st to turn voters against Labour candidates, claiming the party's policies will "restart the prosecution of elderly veterans."
The veterans' fury centers on furious overLabour's proposed changes to the Legacy Act through a Remedial Order, which threatens to reopen investigations into former servicemen who served during the Troubles.
"A vote for Labour is a vote to restart the prosecution of elderly veterans," warned Paul Young, National spokesperson for NIVM. The group says the move would particularly impact 20 Special Air Service soldiers who could face criminal charges over what they describe as "a lawful operation against heavily armed IRA terrorists."
The veterans' group launched a blistering attack on what they termed 'Legacy lawyers,' lawyers who "will make millions in fees from the rewrite of history and the demonisation of our security forces." They point to recent evidence given to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee showing that while victims received £7.5 million in certain Legacy cases, lawyers pocketed £17.5 million in legal fees.
The NIVM highlighted that of 33 Legacy Inquests waiting to be restarted, 31 focus on deaths caused by security forces, with none investigating IRA terrorists who they say "committed 60% of the murders during the Northern Ireland conflict."
While promising to respect voters' rights, the group vows to use "all legal means" to persuade the public to reject Labour candidates, emphasising their campaign will remain within the law.
The protest move comes as the Police Service of Northern Ireland battles financial struggles, with the veterans' group claiming Legacy case costs have left the force "nearly bankrupt" and unable to recruit new officers.