logo
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 ranks ex-servicemen being ‘betrayed'

The Irish Sun19-05-2025

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.
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: '
READ MORE ON THE ARMY
"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.'
Most read in The Sun
Defence Secretary
"I will certainly look into it.'
Britain should be proud - today's VE Day pomp was perfect final honour to our war heroes
2
Army chiefs banned troops from supporting veterans in public
Credit: Getty

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Don't believe everything what's written' – Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No 10 jersey
‘Don't believe everything what's written' – Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No 10 jersey

Irish Independent

time3 days ago

  • Irish Independent

‘Don't believe everything what's written' – Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No 10 jersey

In rare public comments from the player whose fee could break the English Premier League record, Wirtz responded to a report from broadcaster Sky Germany on Tuesday that he would like to keep wearing No 10 if he moves to Liverpool. That number was worn this season by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, a World Cup winner with Argentina, and is a storied shirt at Liverpool. Previous players to wear the No 10 include club greats like John Barnes, Michael Owen, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané. 'Who says I want the 10," Wirtz wrote on Instagram late Tuesday, "I respect players." 'Don't believe everything what's written,' he added with a clown emoji. The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder is reportedly nearing a move to Premier League champion Liverpool after turning down interest from Bayern Munich. Liverpool has already signed his Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, a Dutch right back. Any agreement for Wirtz could break the British record of £106.7million that Chelsea agreed to pay Benfica for Enzo Fernández in early 2023. Wirtz is set to play for Germany on Wednesday in their Nations League semi-final against Portugal in Munich.

Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No10 jersey – ‘Don't believe everything what's written'
Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No10 jersey – ‘Don't believe everything what's written'

Sunday World

time3 days ago

  • Sunday World

Florian Wirtz denies he demanded the Liverpool No10 jersey – ‘Don't believe everything what's written'

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz seemingly denied a report that he requested the No 10 shirt at Liverpool as part of talks over a potentially record-breaking transfer. In rare public comments from the player whose fee could break the English Premier League record, Wirtz responded to a report from broadcaster Sky Germany on Tuesday that he would like to keep wearing No 10 if he moves to Liverpool. That number was worn this season by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, a World Cup winner with Argentina, and is a storied shirt at Liverpool. Previous players to wear the No 10 include club greats like John Barnes, Michael Owen, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané. 'Who says I want the 10," Wirtz wrote on Instagram late Tuesday, "I respect players." 'Don't believe everything what's written,' he added with a clown emoji. The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder is reportedly nearing a move to Premier League champion Liverpool after turning down interest from Bayern Munich. Liverpool has already signed his Leverkusen teammate and Dutch right-back, Jeremie Frimpong. Any agreement for Wirtz could break the British record of £106.7million that Chelsea agreed to pay Benfica for Enzo Fernández in early 2023. Wirtz is set to play for Germany on Wednesday in their Nations League semi-final against Portugal in Munich.

First non-pilot to lead RAF is picked to command all three armed forces
First non-pilot to lead RAF is picked to command all three armed forces

The Irish Sun

time4 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

First non-pilot to lead RAF is picked to command all three armed forces

THE first non-pilot to lead the RAF has been picked to command all three armed forces. Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton – a career engineer and 'defence bureaucrat' – will take over as Chief of the Defence Staff this autumn. Advertisement 3 The married dad-of-two was picked by Sir Kier Starmer over Army Chief General Sir Roly Walker, a former SAS commander Credit: AFP 3 Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton will take over as Chief of the Defence Staff this autumn Credit: @UK MoD Crown Copright 2024 3 The career engineer and 'defence bureaucrat' with Captain Paddy Hemingway.103, at Casement Air base Baldonnel near Dublin Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun The married dad-of-two was picked by Knighton's only combat tour, according to his official bio, was 'a short stint as Senior Engineer Officer in Italy during the Kosovo campaign'. But he launched the RAF's Tempest plan to get a sixth generation fighter jet which is the government's flagship defence project. Pals insisted Knighton – who earned a 1st Class engineering degree from Cambridge University – was the perfect candidate for implementing Labour's defence reforms. Advertisement They said: 'Rich is smart, popular and really good at getting sh*t done and he has bucket loads of integrity.' They added: 'For the hard yards of implementing a defence review, there's no one better to role up his sleeves hand get on with it. 'Naysayers would say his background is as engineer, he is a proper defence bureaucrat. 'There is no doubt Roly had a more operational experience but Rich will have plenty of people around him who can advise on that.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive They were both on long list of four which included the first ever woman, General Dame Sharon Nesmith, and spychief General Jim Hockenhull. ACM Knighton, 56, will replace Admiral Sir Tony Radakin as the professional head of the forces and the PM's top military advisor. He will also take direct command of the Army, Navy and Air Force under a newly formed Military Strategic Headquarters. He joined the RAF as university cadet in 1988 and describes himself as 'a keen skier and a below-average sportsman who would like to do more sailing'. Advertisement He maintains a 'private pilots license' and is president of the RAF Powerlifting, Winter Sports and Hockey clubs. Originally from Derbyshire, he lives with his lawyer wife Caitlin in Cambridge. Speaking before the appointment Knighton said engineering had shaped his style of leadership. His told a local newspaper: 'As an engineer in the air force, you are never, at any point, the leading expert in a thing. You rely on the advice of your technicians and your experts, and then you pull together that information, and you make a decision.' Advertisement He described himelf as an optimist ands said: 'Nobody wants to work for a miserable bastard.' He added: "I'm very much a glass-half-full kind of character. I get a great deal of energy from working with other people. I've learned in my career that optimism and energy are infectious.' An MoD spokesperson said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.' This comes as Advertisement Labour's pledge to 'lead in Nato' would be blown to smithereens if Britain is left behind, a top defence insider said. Top Brass have been baffled by Kier Starmer's refusal to say when he will hit Labour's target of spending 3 per cent. The PM vowed to get Britain "battle ready" yesterday with new doomsday nukes and robotic fighter jets – but refused to say how he will fund it. Donald Trump has demanded allies spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence – and he has threatened to abandon nations that fail to pay their way. Advertisement Nato's chief And A defence source said Britain's ministers have 'been in denial' about the looming Nato summit and pledges key allies will make. Advertisement Starmer is expected to discuss the Nato target in a crunch meeting this week. A defence source said: 'Do we want to be lumped with Spain as the only allies that are complaining?' At the launch a landmark Strategic Defence Review Defence Secretary 'We will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces and lead in a stronger, more lethal Nato.' Advertisement Labour has pledged to increase defence spending from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027. Starmer said: 'We have set the ambition to reach 3 per cent in the next Parliament, subject to economic and fiscal conditions.' But pressed on what that meant, he said: 'I'm not going to indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air.' Defence Secretary Healey said the 3 per cent target was a "certainty". Advertisement But he backtracked 24-hours later, insisting it was merely an "ambition". Britain's three biggest weapons programmes – including the Trident 2 nuclear deterrent, the new sixth generation fighter jets and new hunter killer submarines – will cost at least 3 per cent of GDP, a former defence minister told The Sun. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Advertisement Like us on Facebook at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store