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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 July 2021. It was answered by Baroness Goldie (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 July 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Veterans: Civil Proceedings

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government when legislation will be introduced to protect soldiers from vexatious prosecutions.

Answer

The Government has delivered the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel & Veterans) Act 2021 (the Act), which delivers on the 2019 manifesto commitment to tackle the vexatious legal claims that undermine our Armed Forces.

The measures of the Act provide reassurance to our Service personnel and veterans that, where an investigation into historical allegations of wrongdoing is referred to the prosecutor for a decision on whether to prosecute, the unique circumstances of overseas operations will be taken into account in their considerations.

The Government has been clear it will introduce a separate legacy package for Northern Ireland that delivers better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans, focuses on information recovery and reconciliation, and ends the cycle of investigations. The MOD continues to work with the NIO to ensure that the legacy package delivers on the commitments made to Northern Ireland veterans. Government is committed to bringing forward legislation as soon as possible.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1545
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Civil proceedings Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk