IT’S time to defend those who defend us.
We politicians send our Armed Forces into harm’s way, so it is only right that we protect them from vexatious claims of wrong-doing when they come home.
Let me be clear, I do not defend indefensible behaviour while on operations, but I do defend the likes of former Life Guard Dennis Hutchings, who at 77 and terminally ill, is still being chased through the courts.
This, despite two official letters clearing him over allegations surrounding a shooting in Northern Ireland in 1974.
That’s why I happily co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister, calling on the Government to better legally protect our Service men and women.
Along with 12 colleagues, including former soldiers and General Sir Richard Dannatt, I delivered it to No 10 on Tuesday.
The timing of this letter is crucial.
A further investigation into 1,000 ‘legacy’ cases involving unsolved murders during the Troubles is about to be launched by the Historic Inquiries Unit.
It will inevitably open the door to more spurious allegations and ruin the lives of those who served our country with honour.
Let’s not forget, the army kept meticulous records during this period; the terrorists did not.
Soldiers went out to save lives; terrorists went out to take them.
It was the latter who were responsible for 90 per cent of those who were killed.
Yet, it was they who were treated leniently.
Five hundred have been released on licence, 200 have received so-called ‘comfort letters’ and 16 were given royal pardons.
A recent meeting with the new Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox QC, gave us cause for hope.
But, there’s a long way to go to ensure that we stop betraying our veterans.