A senior Labour minister is reportedly on the brink of quitting amid a decision that will leave British veterans open to prosecution. Al Carns, the veterans minister and a former Royal Marine, is said to be on resignation watch over the decision that sparked protests in Whitehall on Monday.
Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, is set to repeal the Legacy and Reconciliation Act, a law brought in by the previous Tory government to end new legal cases against soldiers involved in the Troubles. The Bill was divisive because it applied to both troops and paramilitary fighters on both the loyalist and republican side of the bloody conflict. However, the Tories argued the compromise was necessary to draw a line under the conflict and prevent the cruel prosecution of former British military personnel.
Labour pledged to replace the Bill, with Mr Benn branding it “completely wrong” to bar victims’ families from pursuing inquests and civil action in the courts.
However, Mr Carns has warned he cannot endorse any new legislation that could reopen the possibility of British veterans being pursued in the courts.
A government source told The Times: “There is a huge row brewing.
“Everyone has been left with the impression that this is a resignation matter.”
The paper reports that Mr Carns “made his position clear at a drop-in session for Labour MPs hosted by Hilary Benn” on Monday last week.
Veterans descended on Whitehall on Monday over Labour’s plan to repeal the law, coinciding with a well-attended Westminster Hall debate sparked by a petition that received more than 170,000 signatures.
On Monday, the veterans commissioners for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales issued a joint statement pledging to “stand united” in their opposition to the Government’s plan.
They blasted: “We are deeply concerned by the prospect of retrospective legal action being taken against veterans who were carrying out their lawful duties, often under immense pressure and threat.”
The Royal British Legion added: “We call on the Government to urgently provide clarity on their intent regarding the process of legacy prosecutions. The anxiety and uncertainty created by the current situation is unfair and is having a substantial negative impact on veterans and their families.”
Johnny Mercer, Mr Carns’ Tory predecessor as minister for veterans, warned: “Any current leader (military or political) who enables this by supporting this Government’s rescinding of the Legacy Act, will never convince me they are there for any other reason than themselves. Stop the excuses – support the blokes or resign like I did.”
Mark Francois, the Tories’ current shadow armed forces minister, said veterans face a “profound betrayal from the Labour Government” over Mr Benn’s plans to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy Act.
He warned: “A nation that forgets the sacrifices of its soldiers risks losing the trust of those who would serve in the future.
“If Labour presses ahead regardless, they must remember a simple truth – a nation that betrays its soldiers’ past sacrifices undermines the trust of those who would serve tomorrow. Justice for our veterans must prevail.”
The Ministry of Defence was approached for comment.