A decorated former SAS commander has launched a blistering attack on the relentless legal pursuit of British Army veterans, demanding an immediate end to the 'endless investigations' into their actions during the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Colonel Nick Kitson, a highly respected officer with a distinguished career, has spoken out against what he describes as a politically-motivated 'witch-hunt' that is unfairly targeting soldiers decades after the events in question. He argues that these probes are a profound betrayal of the men who served their country in incredibly difficult circumstances.
A Heavy Burden on Heroes
Colonel Kitson powerfully articulates the immense psychological toll these prolonged investigations are taking on veterans and their families. Many are elderly and have already lived with the memories of their service for a lifetime, only to now face the threat of legal action fuelled by historical revisionism.
He contends that soldiers were sent to uphold the rule of law in a terrifying and complex conflict, often making split-second decisions to protect themselves and civilians. To judge these actions with the benefit of hindsight, outside the context of the daily violence that defined the Troubles, is presented as a grave injustice.
The Call for a Line to Be Drawn
The central argument is for a definitive line to be drawn under the past. Colonel Kitson and many supporters believe that the continued focus on prosecuting soldiers, often based on unreliable evidence and allegations, serves no one and hinders genuine reconciliation.
There is a strong feeling that these investigations are disproportionately aimed at state forces, while those who committed acts of terrorist violence have effectively been granted amnesties through early release schemes and letters of comfort. This one-sided pursuit is seen as a deep failure of the moral and political duty owed to veterans.
A Nation's Debt of Honour
The plea is ultimately one for the nation to honour its debt to those who served. It calls upon the government to finally provide the legal protection veterans deserve, shielding them from what is perceived as an endless and unjust legal process.
Colonel Kitson's intervention adds a significant and authoritative voice to a growing chorus demanding that the UK stop the pursuit of its own soldiers and allow them to live their final years in peace, rather than under the shadow of a courtroom.
