Army chiefs banned troops from supporting veterans in public amid growing fury in ranks ex-servicemen being ‘betrayed'
The MoD said troops must remain 'impartial'
VETS SUPPORT BAN Army chiefs banned troops from supporting veterans in public amid growing fury in ranks ex-servicemen being 'betrayed'
ARMY chiefs banned troops from supporting veterans in public — amid growing fury in the ranks that ex-servicemen are being 'betrayed'.
A ban came after up to 90,000 people signed a petition urging No 10 not to dilute a law shielding Northern Ireland veterans from witch-hunts.
Advertisement
2
Former Brigadier Ian Liles insisted it was the regiments' duty to look after veterans
Credit: Durham Union
At least three Army regimental HQ shared social media links to it.
But the MoD said troops must remain 'impartial' — leading top brass to order support must end.
Former Brigadier Ian Liles, 71, who launched the petition, insisted it was the regiments' duty to look after veterans.
He said: 'Veterans are being hounded and persecuted.'
Advertisement
"It is a disgrace.
'It is in the Regimental Headquarters' remit to help them.
That is not political. That is a military fact.'
Tory MP David Davis said: 'Veterans' voices must not be silenced by bureaucratic interference.'
Advertisement
Defence Secretary John Healey vowed: 'Anything that interferes with the parliamentary process is something of concern.
"I will certainly look into it.'
Britain should be proud - today's VE Day pomp was perfect final honour to our war heroes
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Republican senators question cost of Army's parade spectacle set for Trump's birthday
Several Republican senators have questioned the cost of an upcoming military parade set to take place on President Donald Trump 's birthday. The parade is expected to be held in Washington, D.C., on June 14 to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, which also happens to fall on Trump's 79th birthday. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, voiced his concern about the spectacle after he learned it would cost an estimated $25 million to $40 million, per Politico. According to the publication, Wicker heard about the hefty cost from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in an Army budget hearing. Driscoll said he could not provide an exact price for the parade because the Army will also need to pay for the road damage that its tanks will do, Politico reported. NBC News reported, citing military officials, that it may cost as much as $16 million to repair the streets of Washington, D.C. after the parade. 'I would have recommended against the parade,' Wicker told Politico on Thursday. Wicker did mention a positive possible outcome of the planned spectacle: 'The secretary feels that it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for thousands of young Americans to see what a great opportunity it is to participate in a great military force, that it will be a recruiting tool.' 'So, we'll see,' he added. The Army has already met its recruiting goals for the 2025 fiscal year. In a press release issued Tuesday, the Army announced it signed contracts with more than 61,000 future soldiers, four months before the end of the fiscal year. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, also critiqued the military parade. 'I'm glad that we're honoring the Army. I think that's really important to recognize such a significant anniversary,' she said in a recent interview with Politico. But 'the cost does seem a bit steep,' the Republican added. Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, went a step further to tell Politico, 'If it costs money, I won't go.' The parade will feature roughly 6,600 Army troops who will wear uniforms from every military conflict the U.S. was involved in since the Revolutionary War. It will feature military equipment such as a WWII-vintage B-25 bomber, a P-1 fighter and Huey helicopters used in the Vietnam War, according to Politico. Reuters reported that, according to the Army, there will also be 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, and four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles. In a May 4 interview on Meet the Press with NBC News' Kristen Welker, Trump said the cost of the parade is 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it,' he said.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Army bosses plan to buy drones that can be fired from VANS after Ukraine's devastating attack on Russia
THE Army plans to buy drones which can be launched out of vans after Ukraine blitzed a third of Russia's bombers from lorries. Top Brass issued a request for a covert launcher that fits in a 'Sprinter truck or regular Transit van'. The weapon, codenamed Project Volley, must be robust, simple to use, weigh no more than 275kg, and fire at least five drones in four minutes at speeds of 200kmph. The MoD put out a message to industry, known as a 'notice for contracts', and will potentially give the launchers to Ukraine. It said: 'The user will use the launcher in a high-threat environment with persistent enemy surveillance. 'Therefore it must create a minimal signature — acoustic, heat, visual when used, eg hiding in plain sight.' It comes after Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least 41 Russian aircraft on Sunday with 117 drones hidden on cargo trucks. They were in pre-fabricated sheds that were loaded on to flatbed trucks and driven across Russia. As they neared airfields, the roofs of the sheds flipped open and the drones took off. They destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers and prized A-50 Beriev command and control aircraft. Russia continues to launch drone strikes of its own, including one on a residential area in Kharkiv yesterday. The MoD's notice stressed urgency by saying that it is not interested in solutions 'that will not be ready for UK field demonstration or testing in October'. From tactical nuke to 7,600mph missile & 50k-troop assault…6 ways Putin could respond to Ukraine blitz after Trump call The MoD said Project Volley was part of a £5billion investment in 'advanced new weapons' based on lessons learned from Ukraine. It added: 'This investment will improve accuracy and lethality for our Armed Forces, while boosting UK export potential.'
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Army bosses plan to buy drones that can be fired from VANS after Ukraine's devastating attack on Russia
Ukraine destroyed Russian aircraft with drones hidden on cargo trucks on Sunday WHITE VAN WHAM Army bosses plan to buy drones that can be fired from VANS after Ukraine's devastating attack on Russia THE Army plans to buy drones which can be launched out of vans after Ukraine blitzed a third of Russia's bombers from lorries. Top Brass issued a request for a covert launcher that fits in a 'Sprinter truck or regular Transit van'. Advertisement 2 Army bosses plan to buy drones that can be fired from vans after Ukraine's devastating attack on Russia Credit: Getty The weapon, codenamed Project Volley, must be robust, simple to use, weigh no more than 275kg, and fire at least five drones in four minutes at speeds of 200kmph. The MoD put out a message to industry, known as a 'notice for contracts', and will potentially give the launchers to Ukraine. It said: 'The user will use the launcher in a high-threat environment with persistent enemy surveillance. 'Therefore it must create a minimal signature — acoustic, heat, visual when used, eg hiding in plain sight.' Advertisement It comes after Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least 41 Russian aircraft on Sunday with 117 drones hidden on cargo trucks. They were in pre-fabricated sheds that were loaded on to flatbed trucks and driven across Russia. As they neared airfields, the roofs of the sheds flipped open and the drones took off. They destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers and prized A-50 Beriev command and control aircraft. Advertisement Russia continues to launch drone strikes of its own, including one on a residential area in Kharkiv yesterday. The MoD's notice stressed urgency by saying that it is not interested in solutions 'that will not be ready for UK field demonstration or testing in October'. From tactical nuke to 7,600mph missile & 50k-troop assault…6 ways Putin could respond to Ukraine blitz after Trump call The MoD said Project Volley was part of a £5billion investment in 'advanced new weapons' based on lessons learned from Ukraine. It added: 'This investment will improve accuracy and lethality for our Armed Forces, while boosting UK export potential.' Advertisement 2 Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least 41 Russian aircraft on Sunday with 117 drones hidden on cargo trucks Credit: Getty Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
