Reform UK has appointed Angus MacIntyre as its first Shadow Armed Forces Minister, bringing four decades of military experience to the party.
MacIntyre began his military career in the British Army in 1986 before transferring to the RAF Regiment in 1999, serving on operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and elsewhere. Until just last week, MacIntyre was still a serving RAF Wing Commander. Having resigned his commission after 40 years in the Armed Forces, he has come straight from military service to Reform UK’s top team.
Speaking at an event in London today, attended by hundreds of military veterans, he made his first pledge to the British people: end the unjust prosecutions of British veterans within his first 100 days in office – or resign.
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage welcomed the appointment, describing MacIntyre as “a great example of the kind of leaders we need to turn our country around” – and the kind of person with real-world experience that Reform is bringing on board to transform politics.
MacIntyre began his military career in the British Army in 1986 before transferring to the RAF Regiment in 1999, serving on operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and elsewhere. Until just last week, MacIntyre was still a serving RAF Wing Commander. Having resigned his commission after 40 years in the Armed Forces, he has come straight from military service to Reform UK’s top team.
Speaking at an event in London today, attended by hundreds of military veterans, he made his first pledge to the British people: end the unjust prosecutions of British veterans within his first 100 days in office – or resign.
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage welcomed the appointment, describing MacIntyre as “a great example of the kind of leaders we need to turn our country around” – and the kind of person with real-world experience that Reform is bringing on board to transform politics.
I will end the unjust prosecutions of our veterans in my first 100 days in office, or I will resign
Reform will introduce legislation in its first 100 days in government to end current cases and prohibit further proceedings against British veterans for historical conduct on sanctioned operations within the chain of command.
The announcement follows Labour MPs’ passage of the government’s Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which could leave veterans facing years of legal proceedings.
MacIntyre said: “State-backed lawfare against our veterans has become a serious threat to Britain’s ability to defend itself.
“British soldiers risk life and limb to serve King and country, to ensure that the British people can sleep soundly at night in the knowledge that a highly trained professional force will, as necessary, exercise proportionate violence on their behalf.”
Reform’s plan would end all current and ban further prosecutions of British soldiers who served during the Troubles. It would also require the Defence Secretary to certify future prosecutions of soldiers or veterans acting on orders during operations, and introduce a 10-year time limit after an incident.
This would apply only to conduct on sanctioned operations within the chain of command. Cases involving actions outside combat or in a civilian capacity would proceed as usual.
While the other parties abandon those who have served our country, Reform UK will always stand by them.
MacIntyre said: “Reform UK will end this, giving our armed forces the certainty they need to carry out their duties, and our veterans the peace of mind they deserve.
“That’s why I will end the unjust prosecutions of our veterans in my first 100 days in office, or I will resign.”
Speaking at today’s event, MacIntyre said that after 40 years in the Armed Forces, he was moving on to “the next chapter of my service to our great nation” with Reform UK.
The announcement follows Labour MPs’ passage of the government’s Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which could leave veterans facing years of legal proceedings.
MacIntyre said: “State-backed lawfare against our veterans has become a serious threat to Britain’s ability to defend itself.
“British soldiers risk life and limb to serve King and country, to ensure that the British people can sleep soundly at night in the knowledge that a highly trained professional force will, as necessary, exercise proportionate violence on their behalf.”
Reform’s plan would end all current and ban further prosecutions of British soldiers who served during the Troubles. It would also require the Defence Secretary to certify future prosecutions of soldiers or veterans acting on orders during operations, and introduce a 10-year time limit after an incident.
This would apply only to conduct on sanctioned operations within the chain of command. Cases involving actions outside combat or in a civilian capacity would proceed as usual.
While the other parties abandon those who have served our country, Reform UK will always stand by them.
MacIntyre said: “Reform UK will end this, giving our armed forces the certainty they need to carry out their duties, and our veterans the peace of mind they deserve.
“That’s why I will end the unjust prosecutions of our veterans in my first 100 days in office, or I will resign.”
Speaking at today’s event, MacIntyre said that after 40 years in the Armed Forces, he was moving on to “the next chapter of my service to our great nation” with Reform UK.
