A former Commander-in-Chief has warned soldiers will leave the British Army in retaliation against application of human rights laws which are said to stifle operations.
It was revealed on Monday that nine four-star generals, who signed an open letter to the Prime Minister to coincide with Armistice Day, warned that soldiers’ trust in the legal system has deteriorated so badly that it now “risks everything”.
Now, speaking to Christopher Hope and Ellie Costello on Remembrance Day, one of the documents’ signatories, Sir Nick Parker, lamented over how human rights laws have hindered soldiers’ work.
Asked if such fear of prosecution over human rights might have spurred on a drop in military size, Sir Nick responded: “I wouldn’t be surprised.
He pointed to the way a veteran who had served in Northern Ireland in the 1970s could “feel threatened” that his actions in the field could culminate in examination in the context of human rights.
“If I was a soldier on the front line now, I would be very wary about the conditions that I was operating in,” he admitted.
“Now, I don’t have exact details. And there will be, I am sure, implications of people who decide that this is not the right conditions for them to serve and they’ll leave.”
The group claimed the deterioration of trust is a “direct threat to national security”, reiterating Sir Nick’s belief that it has sparked an exodus from the special forces.
The group claimed the deterioration of trust is a ‘direct threat to national security’
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PA/GB NEWS
In the damning open letter, which has been published by The Times, the nine four-star generals said: “Today every British soldier deployed must consider not only the enemy in front of them but the lawyer behind them.
“Make no mistake, our closest allies are watching uneasily, and our enemies will be rubbing their hands.”
The army chiefs have also claimed the dwindling confident has been spurred on by the rise of “lawfare”, which they explain as “the use of legal processes to fight political or ideological battles”.
GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope added: “Sir Nick, what has happened here is the Government allowing lawyers to try and run military decisions.
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“And that makes our troops on the front line think twice before acting in the national interest.”
The ex-British Army officer who served as Commander Land Forces explained that the nine-strong group of generals was “triggered” by the new Bill replacing the Legacy Bill introduced by the Tory Government.
The previous legislation established an immunity scheme for ex-security forces and ex-paramilitaries who cooperate with an information recovery body.
Additionally, it brought criminal and civil cases, as well as inquests which were related to the Troubles, to a halt.
The ex-officer told GB News: “Our deep concern is that this threatens veterans who have served their country in the past, particularly in the Northern Ireland campaign.
“That this has a direct relationship for our ability to be able to fight future wars because of the application of law in what we consider to be a wholly inappropriate way for those who have to deploy extreme violence in the cause of their country.”
The ex-officer spoke with Ellie and Christopher on Tuesday
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GB NEWS
A Government spokesman said: “We promised our veterans who served with honour in Northern Ireland that we would put proper protections in place and the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill delivers on that commitment.
“After the false promises of the last Government, we are putting in place six real, workable protections for veterans that the failed Legacy Act never did.
“We will not allow the process, like so many times before, to become the punishment for our veterans.
“These robust safeguards will ensure the rights of those who served their nation so honourably are protected whilst providing victims with a human rights compliant, fair, and transparent system to seek answers.”