EXCLUSIVE The 'useful idiots' in the Prime Minister's ranks who blew up the law to prevent the hounding of veterans
A former Conservative minister has described military veterans in the Labour Party as 'useful idiots' after they tore up his law to protect soldiers.
Johnny Mercer, the architect of the Legacy Act, took aim at the former troops who have left Northern Ireland veterans exposed.
The former Veterans Minister brought in the first legislation to shield service personnel from historical witch hunts.
Mr Mercer, who served in Afghanistan, blamed veterans who joined the Labour Party for undoing his work.
The current Veterans Minister is Al Carns, a former Royal Marines officer. Action to remove protections for troops has happened on his watch.
Yesterday, the Mail launched a campaign to stop the betrayal of British troops hounded by the threat of legal action decades after their service.
The newspaper is demanding ministers U-turn on their bid to repeal the Legacy Act or produce a proper alternative.
Last night, a petition calling for the protections of Northern Ireland veterans had reached just under 150,000 signatures. There will be a full parliamentary debate on the issue on July 14.
It comes as former SAS soldiers face possible murder charges after a judge in Northern Ireland ruled the shooting of four IRA terrorists in 1992 was unlawful.
Yesterday, the Mail's campaign received fulsome backing from MPs, including Sir David Davis and Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois.
Last night Mr Mercer, who is no longer an MP, said: 'Veterans in the Labour Party should hang their heads in shame.
'They have become modern day useful idiots in a party determined to shout about veteran credentials then roll back all the important advances made by the previous government.
'None more so than legislation to protect our people from vexatious prosecutions in Northern Ireland. I made promises to veterans and I kept them. It took almost ten years. To repeal what we fought so hard for is frankly unconscionable. The hounding of these veterans is fundamentally unjust. So we kept going to produce the Legacy Act.
'I am proud of that and I fully support what the Mail is doing to ensure soldiers are protected.'
The Labour manifesto at last year's general election included a pledge to repeal the 'unlawful' act. This followed a ruling by a court in Northern Ireland on clauses in the act providing conditional immunity from prosecutions for Troubles-era crimes.
The act also introduced a ban on inquests and future civil actions related to the same period.
In February 2024, the High Court in Belfast found these were in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Article 2 of the ECHR places an investigative duty on the state where its agents may have been involved in causing death or serious injury.
In such circumstances, countries that are signatories to the convention are obliged to conduct an effective and independent investigation.
In parliament yesterday Mr Francois said: 'The present Labour government intends to use a Remedial Act to remove key provisions within the Act.
'This will open the endless cycle of investigation and re-investigation, often by coronial inquests. This policy is a disaster for recruitment and retention and we vigorously oppose it. In that context, we warmly welcome the Daily Mail's campaign, launched this morning, to defend our veterans.'
Mr Francois, who served as a defence minister in a previous Conservative government also quoted the Mail's editorial which said it was 'profoundly unfair that frail ex-servicemen will continue to live in dread of a knock on the door by the authorities, while IRA murderers sleep easily, with letters of immunity handed to them by Tony Blair'.
In the same debate, Sir David said: 'This is not just about Special Forces, it is about all of the armed forces. There are about 20 inquests into actions by government agencies that could be restarted after the end of the legacy legislation.
'If we continue down this path we will betray our past and jeopardise our future.
The Mail's campaign has received fulsome backing from MPs, including Sir David Davis and Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois
'This campaign of persecution sends a chilling message to the next generation: serve your country, risk your life and face prosecution in your old age. Why would any young man or woman sign up for that.'
The case at the centre of the campaign involved 12 SAS soldiers facing possible murder charges over the 1992 shooting of four IRA terrorists.
Police concluded at the time there should be no prosecutions. But earlier this year a coroner ruled their use of force was excessive, despite the terrorists being armed with a heavy machine gun and other weapons. Files have been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland.
A move which could trigger a criminal investigation.
Last night, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said: 'The Legacy Act has been found by our domestic courts to be unlawful.
'Any incoming government would have to repeal unlawful legislation and it is wrong for anyone to suggest otherwise.
'The Defence Secretary and I are engaging with our veterans community and with all interested parties over future legislation and we will ensure there are far better protections in place.
'We owe it to all who were affected by the Troubles across the United Kingdom to be honest about the unworkability of the Legacy Act and to get this new legislation right.'
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