US EditionSAS soldiers threaten legal action over Labour’s Troubles Bill
The SAS Regimental Association warns the Troubles Bill could breach veterans' rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and harm recruitment and morale, lawyers say.
- On Tuesday, the SAS Regimental Association sent a letter before action to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, after the Northern Ireland Bill's second reading in the House of Commons.
- The association argues the Bill lacks safeguards, with Sidley Austin's Belfast offices saying it is manifestly deficient and could breach Article 6 and Article 8 rights.
- Parliamentary responses noted protections such as anonymity and remote evidence, with contributors to the Commission assured rights to stay at home and be heard remotely.
- Conservative Party MPs warned the reforms could lead to legal cases against veterans, Mr Davis urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene, and the Northern Ireland Office said it will continue engaging with veterans' groups.
- All UK police investigations were halted in May last year under the previous Legacy Act, and Labour's bill, agreed with the Irish Government, will establish a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.
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9 Articles
SAS Association starts legal case against NI Secretary
The Special Air Service Regimental Association has taken the unprecedented step of initiating legal action against the Government over Labour’s Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, issuing a formal letter before action to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. In a statement announcing the move, the Association says the Bill is “manifestly deficient in the protections it offers to former service personnel, police officers, and members of the securit…
'Unfair and disastrous!' Nigel Farage warns Troubles Bill risks morale and recruitment in UK special forces
Nigel Farage has blasted the Government for reviving the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, warning it will leave British soldiers, particularly the SAS, exposed to fresh legal battles dating back more than 50 years.Speaking on his GB News programme, the Reform UK leader said he “literally can’t understand” why ministers have chosen to bring the legislation back before Parliament, accusing them of reopening “a whole series of potential legal action…
SAS group threatens to sue UK govt over Troubles bill
The UK government has been threatened with legal action over its reforms to legacy legislation on the Troubles by the body that represents the SAS soldiers, MPs have been told, amid concerns that it could lead to prosecutions for veterans.
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