Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Reform pledges to halt soldier prosecutions, with a Defence Secretary exception
Reform UK has promised to end ongoing prosecutions of British soldiers within 100 days of taking office and block new ones, unless the Defence Secretary explicitly consents.
The pledge was made by former RAF Wing Commander Angus MacIntyre, whom party leader Nigel Farage appointed as Reform’s armed forces spokesperson.
It comes as Northern Ireland veterans face further legal enquiries over incidents from decades ago, and proposed government legislation could allow more inquests.
Veterans campaigner Paul Young said Reform’s wording did not match his group’s position, which calls for a Supreme Court judge to assess whether cases can proceed on new, compelling evidence.
Former army intelligence officer Philip Ingram also questioned whether there is a legal way to deliver the promise.
Reform says it would raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030 and 3.5 per cent by 2035, partly by cutting welfare spending; Labour and the Conservatives have made the same spending pledges.
Reform has pledged to end prosecutions of British soldiers, except with the explicit consent of the Defence Secretary.
The party says it would pardon veterans convicted for carrying out orders and terminate ongoing prosecutions within its first 100 days in office.
Former RAF Wing Commander Angus MacIntyre has been appointed Reform’s armed forces spokesperson.
Veterans’ campaigner Paul Young challenged the proposal, saying a Supreme Court judge should decide whether cases proceed.
A former army intelligence officer said he did not believe there was a legal mechanism to deliver Reform’s promises.
- Who
- Reform, represented by its new armed forces spokesperson Angus MacIntyre, made the pledges. Veterans’ campaigner Paul Young challenged them.
- What
- Reform pledged to pardon some veterans and end or prevent prosecutions of British soldiers, with the Defence Secretary’s explicit consent as an exception.
- When
- The pledges were reported on 4 November 2026. Reform said it would act within its first 100 days in office.
- Where
- The pledges concern British soldiers and veterans. No specific location for the announcement is stated.
- Why
- MacIntyre said Reform wanted to support veterans who had faced prosecution for doing their jobs.
Reform
Paul Young
Prosecutions
Reform
Reform pledged to terminate ongoing prosecutions and bar further prosecutions of British soldiers unless the Defence Secretary explicitly consents.
Paul Young
Young said cases should proceed only if a Supreme Court judge finds new, compelling and extraordinary evidence.
Pardons
Reform
Reform said it would pardon veterans convicted for simply carrying out orders.
Paul Young
Young said his group had never called for pardons and that people who commit crimes should face the appropriate processes.
Reform’s pledges and the appointment of Angus MacIntyre as armed forces spokesperson were reported.
Paul Young and Philip Ingram criticised the pledges.
- New spokesperson
- Angus MacIntyre, a former RAF Wing Commander
- Proposed timeframe
- First 100 days in office
- Exception to prosecution bar
- Explicit consent of the Defence Secretary
- Defence spending target
- 3 per cent by 2030 and 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035
1 source
What people are saying
within 100 days we will pardon veterans convicted for simply carrying out orders, terminate ongoing prosecutions and bar further prosecutions of British soldiers – save for the explicit consent of the Defence Secretary
We see the utterly disgraceful treatment of our veterans who have found themselves prosecuted merely for doing their jobs.
We could not endorse those policies based on those wordings.
I don't believe there is a legal mechanism to achieve what they're promising.