Angus MacIntyre has a pledge for veterans (Image: Getty)
Veterans being hounded through the courts by lawfare will be spared in the first 100 days of a Reform UK government, Angus MacIntyre has pledged. Speaking to the Daily Express, Nigel Farage’s new defence spokesman slammed the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans as “utterly inhumane”.
He said: “I’m a Northern Ireland veteran. I served out there twice and am all too familiar with the environment that those soldiers had to face – from the constant bomb threats to the never-ending tension of the entire situation.
“These men and women deserve better than to be dragged back through the courts until the day they die. This is utterly inhumane. That’s why within my first 100 days of government I will end the witch-hunt against our Northern Ireland veterans.”
He added: “I would introduce new, robust legislation stopping all current and banning any future prosecutions of personnel for actions taken on sanctioned operations, save for the explicit, personal consent of the defence secretary.
“We will also create a new, strict 10-year time limit for any proceedings to be brought following an incident. We must draw a line under this episode and allow our armed forces to get on with protecting this country without fear.”
Mr MacIntyre was unveiled by Nigel Farage as the party’s new spokesman for defence at a packed-out rally in London earlier this week.
The appointment is a major coup for Reform, as Mr Farage seeks to stuff his top team with experts from outside Westminster.
Mr MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, spending 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with tours alongside the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment.
In 1999, he joined the RAF Regiment, serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia, and later spent a year embedded inside the Pentagon.
After Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022, he helped co-ordinate Britain’s support and made regular trips to Kyiv. He was awarded a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his work there.
Mr MacIntyre accused both main parties of leaving “our armed forces under severe pressure”.
Nigel Farage unveiling Angus MacIntyre as his defence spokesman (Image: Getty)
He said: “The cuts during the Brown and Blair years took chunks from the ranks of all three services. The Conservatives promised to fix it, but over their 14 years in government, they oversaw a further decline in our military power.”
Mr Farage said: “Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined.”
Speaking at the time of his announcement, Labour took aim at how long it had taken to make the appointment.
Luke Pollard MP said: “Reform has treated defence as an afterthought – but in this volatile world, there are no second chances. Nigel Farage simply can’t be trusted to keep Britain safe.”
Nigel Farage’s New Defence Guru Vows to End Northern Ireland Veterans’ ‘Witch-Hunt’
Nigel Farage has placed the treatment of British military veterans at the centre of Reform UK’s defence agenda following the appointment of a new defence adviser who has promised to end what he describes as the continuing “witch-hunt” against former soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The announcement has reignited one of Britain’s most sensitive political and legal debates: how the country should balance justice for victims of historical violence with its responsibility to protect those who served in the armed forces.
For decades, former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland have faced investigations and legal proceedings relating to incidents that occurred during the Troubles. Many veterans argue that they are being subjected to repeated investigations long after the events took place, often under circumstances that create considerable uncertainty and emotional pressure. They believe that soldiers who served their country should not be treated as criminals simply because they carried out difficult duties during a period of extraordinary violence.
The Troubles, which lasted approximately three decades, were characterised by political conflict, terrorist violence and sectarian divisions. British soldiers were deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969, initially to help restore order and protect communities. However, the situation quickly developed into a prolonged security crisis involving republican and loyalist paramilitary organisations, as well as the British security forces.
Thousands of people lost their lives during this period, including civilians, members of the security forces and paramilitary organisations. Many families continue to live with the consequences of those events. For victims and their relatives, the demand for truth and justice remains extremely important. They believe that every death deserves proper investigation, regardless of whether the individual responsible wore a military uniform or belonged to an armed organisation.
This creates a difficult challenge for British policymakers. On one hand, veterans argue that they should receive fair treatment, legal protection and recognition for their service. On the other, victims’ families insist that historical investigations must not be abandoned simply because the events occurred many years ago.
Reform UK’s new defence adviser has argued that the current approach has placed an unfair burden on former soldiers. He believes that veterans who served in Northern Ireland should not face endless investigations without clear evidence or reasonable prospects of prosecution. His position reflects a wider concern among military veterans that the government has failed to provide sufficient legal and institutional support for those who served during previous conflicts.
The controversy is particularly significant because many former soldiers are now elderly. Some are dealing with serious health problems, while others have spent years living with uncertainty about whether they could face further legal action. Repeated investigations can create financial difficulties, emotional distress and disruption to family life.
Supporters of the veterans argue that the government should introduce a consistent legal framework that protects former service personnel from unnecessary and repetitive proceedings. They believe that investigations should be conducted promptly, independently and according to clear evidential standards. Those who served should also have access to appropriate legal assistance and support.
However, critics warn that protecting veterans must not mean granting them immunity from the law. Soldiers, like all public servants, remain subject to legal responsibilities. If credible evidence suggests that unlawful killings or other serious offences occurred, those allegations must be examined fairly and independently. The passage of time does not automatically remove the rights of victims or their families.
The debate has become more complicated because of previous attempts by successive governments to introduce legislation addressing the legacy of the Troubles. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 created an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, alongside a conditional immunity framework that generated considerable opposition from victims’ groups and political representatives.
The legislation was intended to encourage information sharing and provide a mechanism for addressing unresolved historical cases. However, opponents argued that its immunity provisions could prevent victims from obtaining justice. Legal challenges and subsequent policy developments have demonstrated how difficult it is to establish a system that satisfies veterans, victims and the wider public.
Reform UK’s position appears to emphasise the need for greater protection of military veterans and a reassessment of how historical investigations are conducted. Farage has repeatedly argued that British service personnel deserve respect and should not be abandoned after completing their military careers.
The party’s approach also has a wider political dimension. Reform UK wants to present itself as a strong supporter of the armed forces, military families and former service personnel. By making veterans’ rights a central issue, Farage is attempting to distinguish his party from Labour and the Conservatives, both of which have been criticised over their handling of the legacy of the Troubles.
Nevertheless, any proposed reform must consider the importance of maintaining public confidence in the justice system. A system that protects veterans from unfair treatment must also provide meaningful opportunities for victims to obtain answers. These objectives should not be viewed as mutually exclusive.
One possible approach would involve establishing clearer rules governing historical investigations. Cases should be assessed using consistent evidential standards, with independent oversight to prevent political interference. Investigations should avoid unnecessary repetition, while ensuring that genuinely new evidence can be considered. Veterans should also receive adequate legal representation and psychological support throughout the process.
Another important issue is the need to recognise the experiences of military personnel without ignoring the suffering of civilians. Many soldiers who served in Northern Ireland experienced dangerous and traumatic situations. They faced terrorist attacks, witnessed violence and operated in an environment where decisions often had serious consequences. Their service and sacrifices deserve recognition.
At the same time, families who lost relatives during the Troubles have legitimate reasons to seek answers. Some have spent decades trying to establish what happened to their loved ones. For them, historical investigations are not simply political exercises; they are essential to understanding the past and obtaining a measure of justice.
The government must therefore resist attempts to turn this sensitive issue into a simple political confrontation. Neither veterans nor victims should become instruments in party-political arguments. A sustainable solution requires careful legal analysis, independent investigations and genuine engagement with everyone affected.
Ultimately, Nigel Farage’s new defence adviser has brought renewed attention to the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans. His promise to end what he calls a “witch-hunt” reflects widespread frustration among former service personnel who believe that they have not received fair treatment. However, the question is how this objective can be achieved without undermining the rights of victims and their families.
In conclusion, Britain’s responsibility towards its military veterans should not end when they leave the armed forces. Those who served in Northern Ireland deserve fair treatment, proper legal protection and recognition of the difficult circumstances in which they operated. Equally, victims of the Troubles deserve truth, accountability and access to justice. Any future legislation must balance these responsibilities through an independent, transparent and consistent legal framework. The ultimate objective should be to protect veterans from unfair investigations while ensuring that no credible allegation of serious wrongdoing is automatically placed beyond examination. Only through fairness, accountability and respect for all those affected can Britain begin to address the painful legacy of Northern Ireland’s troubled past.