SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

The State Must
Honour Its Word 

The Bill returns to Parliament on the 19th and 20th of October. Please write to your MP before then.

Those who serve under lawful authority do so on one understanding:  If they act lawfully, the State will stand behind them.

Parliament is now considering legislation that could allow historic cases to be reopened decades later without genuinely new and compelling evidence.

We are asking MPs to support one simple protection: before any veteran is reinvestigated,either by the Legacy Commission or in investigative proceedings, new evidence must be independently certified by a Judge of England and Wales. This is not about immunity, anyone who broke the law must remain accountable.

Your MP needs to understand how important this is. An email from you, whether you’re a veteran or not, will help us get their support.

Share this page with anyone who'd support it. Questions, or help with a reply from your MP? Email info@shouldertoshoulder.uk.

The government needs to know that constituents demand fairness for those who served. Whether you are a veteran or not you can write to your MP.

Use our pre-written template below to write to your MP today. It asks your MP to question the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Secretary of Defence on whether they will amend the Bill before Committee Stage with our amendments to protect veterans.

Taking under two minutes to send this letter helps defend our Operation Banner veterans from unfair, repetitive prosecution.

TIME TO
TAKE A STAND

A statue of a man in a suit near Union Jack flags, with a large historic building under construction or renovation in the background.

READ THE LETTER

I am writing as a matter of urgency about the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which is due to return to Parliament on 19th and 20th October,after a Carry Over Motion on the 13th October.

This Bill will affect not only those who served during Operation BANNER, but every member of the Armed Forces and security services whom the State may one day ask to use lawful force on its behalf.

The Bill needs amendment now.  This issue is not about immunity for veterans; families must be able to seek answers, and anyone who broke the law must remain accountable.

However, a veteran who has already been properly investigated should not be repeatedly drawn back into legal process unless genuinely new and compelling evidence, independently certified by a Judge of England and Wales, is brought forwards.

We are asking for one simple protection: before any veteran is reinvestigated, that new evidence must meet a clear statutory test and be independently assessed. Until that threshold is met, further examination should be conducted from the records held by the state agents and the Irish Republic without involving the individual. Should there be any new evidence which is then independently certified, only then may the veterans be contacted. This will prevent multiple investigations into the same matter and prevent meritless cases being brought forward.

That protection must apply across the system to both investigative proceedings and the Commission. It should not be possible to circumvent it through an inquest, criminal investigation, public inquiry or another legal route.

Please ask The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Secretary of Defence now whether they will amend the Bill to provide this protection before Committee Stage and let me know their response.