Kemi Badenoch has launched a blistering attack on Labour, accusing the party of 'ripping up the contract' between soldiers and the Government after Labour MPs voted to allow Northern Ireland veterans to be 'hounded' through the courts.
Badenoch's Condemnation
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the leader of the opposition stated that those who fought for their country 'should not then be hounded for putting their lives on the line' and branded Labour's pursuit of veterans as 'completely wrong'. Mrs Badenoch added that the UK has 'gone backwards' under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, with Labour's failure to publish plans for Britain's rearmament exposing 'how little they've done on defence since they came in'. She further asserted that Sir Keir is leading the UK 'down a dark path' by failing to prioritise Britain's defence.
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Vote
This condemnation follows a decisive vote on Monday night in favour of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill – legislation that could potentially allow vexatious claims to be brought against veterans who served during the Troubles. MPs voted 279 to 176 in support of a motion to carry over the legislation into the next parliamentary session. Conservative MPs voted against the bill, which would require former soldiers to appear in court to answer for their past conduct in the line of duty.
Conservative Reactions
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Alex Burghart commented after the vote, stating that 'it is evident that Labour MPs' loyalties lie with their party overlords rather than the veterans who have courageously served our country'. He added: 'The Government has now opened the door to lawfare and politically motivated, vexatious claims that risk dragging elderly veterans into court rooms. This bill serves only to divide our communities and to inflame distrust and hostility. That is why the Conservatives are clear, when we return to Government, we will repeal it.'
Tory grandee Sir David Davis also decried Labour's bill as 'nothing but a pernicious and vexatious attack against our veterans who served bravely in Northern Ireland'. He said: 'Labour is now scrutinising decisions made in split seconds under extreme circumstances, by soldiers doing their duty to their country.'
Veterans' Fury
Veterans who served in Northern Ireland have also expressed fury over Labour's 'completely biased' pursuit of British soldiers. One former soldier told the Mail that the legislation would be a 'money-fest for legacy lawyers' if passed. The last Conservative government sought to offer partial immunity to veterans under its Legacy Act, but Monday night's vote, criticised as a 'gift' to the IRA, brings Labour closer to repealing that legislation and replacing it with laws permitting new claims against British soldiers. Labour will now be able to bring the bill back to the Commons in the next parliamentary session starting next month.
