Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has called on the Government to end what he described as the “unfair treatment” of British veterans, warning that repeated investigations into historic cases risk damaging morale within the armed forces.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on defence, Sir Ashley said veterans who served during Operation Banner in Northern Ireland are being treated “like criminals” despite carrying out duties assigned to them at the time.
He argued that reopening legacy cases sends the wrong message at a time when the UK is seeking to strengthen its military capability.
He told MPs: “Terrorists who murdered British soldiers have effectively been granted an amnesty, but veterans who served the British state are being hounded for doing what they were ordered to do.”
“That is fundamentally wrong. The time has come to stop relitigating these events. We should be standing by our veterans, not putting them through years of legal uncertainty.”
Ashley criticised the Government’s decision to repeal previous legislation aimed at addressing legacy issues, saying it risks prolonging uncertainty for those who served.
During the debate, he also pressed ministers on the need for a clear defence investment plan, arguing that delays and a lack of detail could weaken the UK’s military readiness. He pointed to the changing global security landscape, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as evidence that stronger investment is required.
“The world of today is not the world of 1991,” he said. “We face a far more dangerous and uncertain global environment, and it is clear that we need to invest more in our armed forces.”
“The Government have promised to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but a year on we are still waiting for a proper plan. Where is the defence investment plan?”
After the debate, Ashley said it was important for MPs to scrutinise the Government’s approach to veterans’ issues. He also noted his disappointment that no Reform UK MPs took part in the discussion, saying they “talk a lot on social media but don’t hold this government to account.”
