Petition · past parliament
Stop the persecution of Operation Banner veterans issue "Comfort Letters."
Rejected
19 signatures
What the petition asks
We want an end to the persecution of veterans who served during Operation Banner. Known sectarian incidents have been ignored, despite 2500 deaths, and those responsible were given Comfort Letters which effectively provides immunity. So why have our veterans not received such letters?
We have instead seen veterans repeatedly investigated and their reputations sullied, as incidents that happened decades ago are used in an attempt to rewrite history.
No value is placed during those investigations on the fact that incidents often happened in situations where the veterans were clearly in danger.
The veterans do not want an amnesty, as this would suggest their actions had equivalence with the IRA's actions, or those involved in indiscriminate bombings and sectarian bloodletting.
No value is placed during those investigations on the fact that incidents often happened in situations where the veterans were clearly in danger.
The veterans do not want an amnesty, as this would suggest their actions had equivalence with the IRA's actions, or those involved in indiscriminate bombings and sectarian bloodletting.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Issuing "comfort letters" to veterans of the British forces would not prevent their prosecution, but you may wish to sign this petition calling for a similar action: Include veterans who served in Northern Ireland in the Overseas Operations Bill
Timeline
| 17 Aug 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Aug 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
19
Status
Rejected
Rejected
23 Aug 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.