Defending those who defended us

Michael today joined fellow Conservative colleagues to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, calling on the Government to stop the witch-hunt into our Northern Ireland veterans.

The letter, entitled ‘Defending those who defended us’, opposes the proposed new Historical Investigations Unit, which would re-open cases against veterans that have already been investigated.

Sir Michael said: “There can be no moral equivalence between our ex-servicemen and women who fought to defend us, and terrorists who wanted to do us harm. We must stop the hounding of our veterans, many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s – and defend those who defended us.”

 

Michael signs the letter to the Prime Minister
Michael signs the letter to the Prime Minister

Protect Our Veterans

I am seriously concerned about proposals to not issue a statute of limitations on historical allegations against our Veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

As Defence Secretary, I shut down an inquiry into alleged human rights abuses by our soldiers in Iraq and I see no reason why there should be one for our soldiers in Northern Ireland.

I spoke on this subject in a recent Westminster Hall debate on 15th May, and you can watch my contribution from 17:06:40, and indeed the whole debate from 16:46:05 here: Westminster Hall Debate on Historical Allegations against our Veterans

I, and other MPs, are actively campaigning on this and will continue to do so.