Stuart Anderson MP has described new legislation as a "body blow" to veterans who served in Northern Ireland during The Troubles including Operation Banner, which took place between 1969 and 2007.
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill was met with much anger by from those within the veteran community when it was introduced to Parliament on 14th October 2025.
The Bill, which is awaiting its Second Reading in the House of Commons, "repeals and replaces" Northern Ireland legacy legislation, which the previous Conservative Government had passed through Parliament in 2023.
The new legislation was introduced by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn MP, despite repeated warnings that it would reopen vexatious claims against military personnel who have since retired.
A petition against the legislation has gained more than 200,000 signatures. This includes 488 signatories from Stuart's own constituency of South Shropshire.
The petition reads:
"We think that the Government should not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland Veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of Operation Banner."
Stuart has vowed to continue the fight against the new legislation, following a powerful intervention that he made on the floor of the House of Commons.
Responding to a Statement delivered by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in the House of Commons on 14th October 2025, Stuart said:
"I am against the repealing of the Legacy Act, and I served in Northern Ireland. As I am now doing in Opposition, I raised when we were in government the major concern and dishonour when none of those on the Labour benches had the decency to come to this House and debate all the points the Minister is making now. They let the legislation go through, but it is recorded in Hansard that very few people bothered to come to the Chamber to debate it when we took it through the House."
I want to make two quick points on the support for veterans. First, you have spoken about the process they will have to go through; I want to know what support will be available, as you have mentioned. Secondly, given that the terrorists did not keep records but the British Army did, how will you ensure fairer disclosure throughout the process?"
In July, Stuart had spoken in a Westminster Hall Debate that was triggered by the petition reaching 100,000 signatories. In his speech, Stuart described his experience of serving in Northern Ireland for eighteen months as a teenager.
As part of his speech, Stuart said:
"I was a teenager when I deployed on my first tour to Belfast. I had little understanding of the big political situation, but I knew everything I needed to do, what I could and couldn't do, and all the rules of engagement. And everybody on the tour followed these. Our pre-deployment training that one of the colleagues has mentioned was extensive. For months, we covered every possible scenario that you could face when overseas on operations, when in Northern Ireland on operations. And I was a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Green Jackets. They were tough soldiers, but professional, knew what they could and couldn't do."
Stuart has added that he is worried that revoking the measures introduced by the Conservatives in Government could also set back progress in Northern Ireland's recovery.
If Labour repeal the Legacy Act, a future Conservative Government would legislate to restore full legal protection for our veterans.
After the intervention, Stuart Anderson MP added:
"We have to have a moral imperative to protect those who served us in the Armed Forces. So, it is shocking that the government has chosen to proceed with plans to repeal and replace legislation that the Conservatives had passed while in government to protect veterans who served in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill has been introduced to Parliament, despite much anger by from the veteran community and a petition which has gained more than 200,000 signatures. Repealing the legacy legislation could re-open the floodgates of legal activism, allowing vexatious claims to be made against our veterans who bravely served on the streets of Northern Ireland during the Troubles. I was still a teenager when I deployed on my first tour to Belfast. I had little understanding of the big political situation, but I knew the rules of engagement and everybody on the tour followed these."
