The Conservative Party is preparing a final, urgent attempt to halt the Labour government's controversial Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which senior Tories claim will effectively 'kneecap' the elite Special Air Service (SAS).
What the Controversial Legislation Would Do
The proposed law represents a dramatic reversal of previous Conservative policy. It will end the legal immunity for both former and serving members of the Armed Forces that was introduced under the last government. Furthermore, the Bill mandates the resumption of controversial inquests into historical incidents from the decades-long conflict.
This has raised fears that elderly veterans, who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, could once again face being dragged through lengthy court proceedings. The legislation aims to establish a new framework for addressing deaths related to the sectarian violence, but its approach has sparked fury.
A 'Kneecapped' SAS and Damaged Defence
Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge is set to confront ministers over the Bill when Parliament reconvenes. He argues the law will critically undermine British Special Forces' capability to protect national interests worldwide. "The prospect of being hauled before the courts means no one will want to sign up to the forces where they will be 'fighting with one hand behind their backs'," Cartlidge stated.
A Conservative source was blunter, warning the Bill will 'kneecap the SAS'. This sentiment is echoed within defence circles, with one source questioning how defence ministers who are themselves veterans could continue to support the proposals.
Fury from Veterans and Top Military Brass
The legislation has triggered a major public campaign for its withdrawal, driven by anger over the treatment of former soldiers. A group of ex-SAS personnel are even threatening legal action, asserting the law will 'wreck' the Armed Forces.
In a powerful intervention, the Labour-appointed Troubles commissioner, David Johnstone, said the government's push to investigate decades-old events treats service personnel 'worse than terrorists'. He condemned the Bill as 'imbalanced' and claimed it was 'eating at the very fabric of the Armed Forces'.
This follows an open letter in November from nine top generals to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, attacking the plans and highlighting the damage caused by what they termed 'pernicious human rights laws' on military effectiveness.
