UK Elite Forces Demand Justice: Special Units Unite Against Legal Pursuit of Veterans

[Social Media]

 

Elite Forces Demand Justice: Special Units Unite Against Legal Pursuit of Veterans

 

In an unprecedented move, leaders of Britain’s most elite military units have come together to condemn what they call a relentless legal pursuit of veterans, warning that the government’s stance is damaging morale and undermining national security.

 

For the first time in history, representatives of the Special Air Service (SAS), Special Boat Service (SBS), and Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) have jointly appealed to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, to halt what they call “lawfare” against former soldiers. Their letter demands immediate action, expressing deep frustration with political attempts to dismantle legal protections for those who served during the Northern Ireland conflict.

 

The controversy stems from Labour’s stated intent to repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, introduced by veterans minister Johnny Mercer in 2023. The Act created an independent commission to investigate deaths during the Troubles while protecting veterans from repeated legal action. Labour’s 2024 election manifesto pledged to amend it, citing a Belfast court’s ruling that the law’s amnesties violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

 

 

At the heart of the debate are 12 SAS soldiers who could face murder charges for their role in the 1992 Clonoe shootings in County Tyrone, where four armed IRA members were killed. A recent coroner’s ruling deemed their use of force unlawful. Despite previous clearances, campaigners argue that the terrorists’ human rights were violated.

 

 

The special forces associations, in a rare and unified statement, declared: “A line must be drawn under the legacy matters arising from the conflict and that the time has come to bring closure to events that may never reach a just or conclusive end. We believe it is time to bring certainty, closure and fairness to this issue, not only for those who served but also for their families.”

 

Former SAS Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Richard Williams described the lack of government response as a “critical crisis of trust” within the ranks. “I remain utterly dumbfounded by the lack of overt support shown by the current or past leadership of the MoD for these brave and skilled British soldiers. The consistent, sweaty-palmed silence... smacks of moral cowardice.”

 

Backing from senior defence voices and over 165,000 signatures on a UK Parliament petition has added pressure ahead of a key debate scheduled for July 14. Political figures such as David Davis MP, a former SAS reservist, and Conservative defence spokesman Mark Francois, have rallied behind the campaign. “Who would sign up to serve a government that plainly doesn’t have the back of troops?” Francois asked.

 

Further highlighting the issue, an SAS veteran—known only as “Jay Cal”—who was recently cleared after a three-year legal ordeal, shared his anger on a U.S. podcast. He and four colleagues were accused of murder during a 2022 raid in Syria, despite the targets being suicide bombers. Jay claimed the investigation was launched by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins for self-serving reasons, stating: “These guys like Sir Gwyn sit in their ivory towers in Westminster making these decisions which are destroying people’s lives.”

 

Jay alleged that fear of similar treatment is leading some SAS soldiers to refuse deployments. “SAS soldiers are saying they don’t want to deploy on operations because what happened to us will happen to them. It is a disgrace,” he said.

 

Despite being cleared, none of the “Syria Five” has received an apology. The Ministry of Defence has faced intense criticism for what troops describe as a lack of support. Former Army commander Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon echoed those concerns, warning, “To lose any of their mercurial capabilities would make us less safe at home and abroad.”

 

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson defended their stance, saying the Legacy Act was flawed and risked granting immunity to terrorists: “We inherited a mess... that was not supported by a number of Veterans groups.”

 

With the debate intensifying, the military community continues to call for decisive leadership to bring an end to what they see as years of betrayal.

 

Related Topics:

Betrayed Warriors: The SAS Veterans Facing Legal Persecution

Breaking the Silence: Former UK Special Forces Reveal Allegations of War Crimes

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Mail  2025-07-07

 

 

[Thingamabob]

The appalling way successive British governments have treated those vets who have put their lives at risk to serve their country is a disgrace.

[DTL2014]

If you think about it : How would you protect a unit that was established to think for itself and act on its own iniative behind enemy lines...That's right ..every now and again ..an investigation would have to be mounted just to prove that they are being monitored and following human rights standards...Can you imagine if there were no investigations ? the out cry would be UK doesnt have control of its forces . Suffice to say - it does matter how our govt erode confidence and undermine our elite forces, but i would remind them that they are not actually fighting for the govt - but the people the govt represent . And we think and know they are the best elite force in the world .

[portisaacozzy]

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The appalling way successive British governments have treated those vets who have put their lives at risk to serve their country is a disgrace.

if its true then they are disgrace to there army and there country

[FritsSikkink]

The government creates elite killers, send them on special missions to get what they want. Then want to cover their own behind when they actually kill people.