Angus MacIntyre, the new defence spokesman for Reform UK, has pledged to end the prosecution of Northern Ireland veterans within the first 100 days of a Reform government. Speaking to the Daily Express, he described the treatment of these veterans as "utterly inhumane" and promised to introduce legislation to stop current and future legal actions.
Ending the 'witch-hunt' against veterans
MacIntyre, a Northern Ireland veteran who served twice in the region, said: "I’m a Northern Ireland veteran. I served out there twice and am all too familiar with the environment that those soldiers had to face – from the constant bomb threats to the never-ending tension of the entire situation."
He added: "These men and women deserve better than to be dragged back through the courts until the day they die. This is utterly inhumane. That’s why within my first 100 days of government I will end the witch-hunt against our Northern Ireland veterans."
MacIntyre outlined plans for new legislation that would stop all current prosecutions and ban any future ones for actions taken on sanctioned operations, unless the defence secretary gives explicit personal consent. He also proposed a strict 10-year time limit for any proceedings to be brought following an incident.
MacIntyre's military background
MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, spending 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with tours alongside the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment. In 1999, he joined the RAF Regiment, serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia, and later spent a year embedded inside the Pentagon.
After Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022, he helped co-ordinate Britain’s support and made regular trips to Kyiv. He was awarded a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his work there.
MacIntyre accused both main parties of leaving "our armed forces under severe pressure". He said: "The cuts during the Brown and Blair years took chunks from the ranks of all three services. The Conservatives promised to fix it, but over their 14 years in government, they oversaw a further decline in our military power."
Political reaction
Nigel Farage unveiled MacIntyre as the party's defence spokesman at a packed-out rally in London earlier this week, saying: "Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined."
Labour responded to the appointment, with Luke Pollard MP saying: "Reform has treated defence as an afterthought – but in this volatile world, there are no second chances. Nigel Farage simply can’t be trusted to keep Britain safe."
