Falklands and Northern Ireland veteran Simon Weston has criticised the government's decision to repeal the Legacy Act, claiming it puts Northern Ireland veterans at risk of prosecution.
Speaking on GB News, Weston described the move as "a betrayal" of military personnel who served in Northern Ireland.
He expressed particular concern about the potential prosecution of SAS members who were following orders.
"They were sent there by politicians. They didn't just say they were going to volunteer to go to Northern Ireland, they were sent there to do their job," Weston said.
Simon Weston has demanded more respect for our veterans
GB NEWS / PA
He emphasised that military personnel were following orders from government officials when deployed to Northern Ireland.
Weston argued that prosecuting those who were simply carrying out their duties represents a fundamental betrayal of trust.
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Veterans who served in the British Army during the Northern Ireland troubles take part in a protest
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He specifically referenced an incident involving SAS members who killed "four young, heavily armed men" who had attacked a police station.
"They went up with murderous intent. If you can tell me how they were going to put their hands up and say, 'please, let me surrender' when they already had murderous intent in their heart?" he questioned.
He described how the armed men had opened fire "with no concern at all for passers-by, for children, for anybody else".
Weston criticised what he sees as a double standard in how different groups are treated.
Weston joined Patrick Christys on GB News
GB NEWS
"The IRA have been able to get away with so much. They've changed the narrative about what happened in Northern Ireland, unfortunately," he said.
He argued that IRA members are "making themselves out to be the victims" despite their actions, referencing the Omagh bombing as an example.
Weston questioned why anyone would join the armed forces given this treatment.
"I have no idea why anybody would want to join the military to be treated like this, to be hounded years after by people in ivory towers who are making judgments, who never had to live under that," he said.
He suggested that prosecuting service personnel for following orders undermines military recruitment.
Weston criticised politicians who make judgements without combat experience.
"Most of these people have fired nothing but a secretary. They've never fired a gun. They've never been under fire," he stated.
He recalled a conversation with Tony Benn, father of current Northern Ireland minister Hilary Benn, who told him that "for peace, it doesn't matter what type of pacifist you have, you have to have people who are prepared to die for peace".
Weston concluded by highlighting the sacrifices made by service personnel.
"Every service person I know has been prepared to go to conflict to save people they'll never know," he said.He expressed frustration that despite these sacrifices, "politicians seem to want to victimise all of us."
"We've done everything we've had asked of us," Weston added.
