Latest news with #EdButler
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
SAS witch hunts have led to recruitment crisis, former officer warns
The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations during the war in Afghanistan SAS witch hunts have damaged morale and led to a recruitment crisis within the elite regiment, says a former commanding officer. Brigadier Ed Butler, who commanded the SAS in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and led the regiment in Afghanistan in 2001, said it's 'not surprising' the Hereford-based unit is also failing to retain experienced troops. 2 Brigadier Ed Butler has warned morale in the SAS is low and faces a recruitment crisis Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Special forces sources have said that since the start of a series of so-called witch hunts against troops who served on operations in Northern Ireland 30-years ago the number of soldiers attempting SAS selection has fallen. They also claim that more troops are leaving the elite organisation in disgust at the treatment of veterans. Brigadier Butler, one of the SAS's most highly decorated and distinguished officers, told The Sun on Sunday: 'The politicians are happy to ask our Special Forces to prosecute government and foreign policies, in the most challenging and dangerous of conditions, to protect our democratic values and freedoms but are not prepared to stick up for them when the witch hunts start. 'Hardly surprising that morale is low, retention is a problem and now potential recruits are not trying SAS selection as they and their families are worried what might happen to them 10 or 20 years after fighting on the front line. You can't have it both ways.' The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that members of the special forces routinely murdered civilians during the war in Afghanistan. Up to 20 SAS veterans, who served in Northern Ireland and shot dead armed IRA terrorists, are facing murder charges, according to senior members of the SAS regiment. The SAS Association have said: 'It is certainly true that there is real concern and extreme unease amongst SAS soldiers and commanders. "They operate on the front line, often in extreme danger, sometimes at the murky edges of the law. 'There is genuine and justifiable concern that an SAS man may bravely and legally do his duty today, and then, in decades time, be persecuted for it if some revisionist government moves the goal-posts in retrospect.' Figures relating to staffing levels for the SAS are kept secret but sources say there's been a 'noticeable and significant percentage drop'. SAS legend who stormed the Iranian Embassy forced to launch public appeal to pay crippling care home costs
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
SAS witch hunts have led to recruitment crisis, former officer warns
SAS witch hunts have damaged morale and led to a recruitment crisis within the elite regiment, says a former commanding officer. Brigadier Ed Butler, who commanded the SAS in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and led the regiment in Afghanistan in 2001, said it's 'not surprising' the Hereford-based unit is also failing to retain experienced troops. Advertisement 2 Brigadier Ed Butler has warned morale in the SAS is low and faces a recruitment crisis Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Special forces sources have said that since the start of a series of so-called witch hunts against troops who served on They also claim that more troops are leaving the elite organisation in disgust at the treatment of veterans. Brigadier Butler, one of the SAS's most highly decorated and distinguished officers, told The Sun on Sunday: 'The politicians are happy to ask our Special Forces to prosecute government and foreign policies, in the most challenging and dangerous of conditions, to protect our democratic values and freedoms but are not prepared to stick up for them when the witch hunts start. 'Hardly surprising that morale is low, retention is a problem and now potential recruits are not trying SAS selection as they and their families are worried what might happen to them 10 or 20 years after fighting on the front line. You can't have it both ways.' Advertisement READ MORE ON THE SAS The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that members of the special forces routinely Up to 20 SAS veterans, who served in Northern Ireland and shot dead armed IRA terrorists, are facing murder charges, according to senior members of the SAS regiment. The SAS Association have said: 'It is certainly true that there is real concern and extreme unease amongst SAS soldiers and commanders. "They operate on the front line, often in extreme danger, sometimes at the murky edges of the law. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'There is genuine and justifiable concern that an SAS man may bravely and legally do his duty today, and then, in decades time, be persecuted for it if some revisionist government moves the goal-posts in retrospect.' Figures relating to staffing levels for the SAS are kept secret but sources say there's been a 'noticeable and significant percentage drop'. SAS legend who stormed the Iranian Embassy forced to launch public appeal to pay crippling care home costs 2 The SAS Association says there are fears troops could be prosecuted decades on for what was legal at the time Credit: AFP
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Business Daily Trump's tariffs: The price of spice
Available for over a year For thousands of years people have traded spices across continents, sharing recipes and wealth. But what could happen to the modern spice industry if costly barriers to free trade are imposed? As US President Donald Trump reaches 100 days in office, it is arguably his 'reciprocal tariffs' that have caused the most upheaval in the US and global economies. We speak to three people working in the North American spice import and processing sector to see how it's impacting them. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Hannah Bewley (Image: Imported spices and seasoning at Phuoc Loc Tho Super Oriental Market in Florida. Credit: Getty Images)
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN Bill proposes exceptions for firearms in restricted zones
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two pieces of legislation are causing controversy as they move into the next phase, but they still have a long way to go. Senate Bill 441 and House Bill 478 are looking to change the current law surrounding the possession of weapons on properties that prohibit firearms. The bills look to create an exception to the offense of possessing or carrying a firearm into an area where weapons are not permitted. An amendment was made to the bill on Tuesday. Memphis voters say yes to 3 gun control measures 'There was an amendment added by a committee member yesterday. It was a former law enforcement officer. Yeah, that kind of creates a due process,' said Rep. Ed Butler (R), District 41. The proposed legislation means you won't get in trouble if the property owner sees the gun and you leave immediately at their request, or if you put the gun in your car, you won't be fined. 'The amendment improves the situation. But I can see circumstances under which it's going to be very difficult to determine whether someone inadvertently brought a firearm onto the premises, were firearms or prohibited or intentionally did so. So that's going to continue to be a challenge,' said Bill Gibbons, Memphis Shelby Crime Commission. Gibbons believes much more must be ironed out to make sure bad actors aren't taking advantage. 📡 for Memphis and the Mid-South. 📧 and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. 'It would apply to hospitals, to restaurants, to various government buildings, city buildings, county buildings and so on,' Gibbons said. The next step is for the bill to go through the full judiciary committee before it reaches the Senate. 'You know, we're just trying not to penalize law abiding citizens that have made mistakes and honest mistakes,' Butler said. The legislation would become effective this summer if enacted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- BBC News
Business Daily Myanmar scam: A victim's story
We hear from a Sri Lankan woman who was trafficked and forced to conduct illegal online activity, including cyber fraud against vulnerable victims. Aneka Boram is one of thousands of people who've recently escaped from so-called scam centres. She talks about her captivity and describes the harsh punishments and conditions she was forced to work in. The scam centres are offices inside Myanmar or Cambodia, where people have been forced to work scamming internet users from around the world. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@ Presented and produced by Ed Butler (Image: Aneka Boram)
