Ulster Unionist Veterans met Anna Soubry MP, the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, in Parliament Buildings, Stormont today.
Welcoming Anna Soubry MP to Parliament Buildings, Danny Kinahan MLA said:
“I was delighted to introduce the Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence to my military veteran colleagues, Councillor Captain Doug Beattie MC and Andy Allen. As we discussed the issues facing veterans like Andy, who suffered such horrific injuries in Afghanistan, I was struck by how genuinely shocked the Minister was to hear Andy’s experience of seeking help in Northern Ireland and how in his own words, he felt like a second-class citizen in his own country.
“We collectively pressed the Ulster Unionist Party’s call for the full implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant, the declaration by government of its moral commitment to the men and women who make up our armed forces, don a uniform and put themselves in harm’s way to protect their families, their communities, and this country.
“Again, the Minister was appalled to hear from Andy and Doug that many serving and retired military personnel feel they have to sneak around the back door to access services. This is not about giving preferential treatment to our armed forces, it is about ensuring they do not suffer any disadvantage because of their uniforms, and there is plenty of evidence from serving and former soldiers that living in Northern Ireland puts them at a disadvantage to their peers in England, Scotland and Wales. That is not acceptable and I look forward to receiving the formal letter Anna Soubry has promised me, stating the Government’s position regarding the application of the Armed forces Covenant in Northern Ireland.”
Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said:
“I was proud to join three veterans of the calibre of Andy Allen, Doug Beattie MC and Danny Kinahan for a ninety minute briefing session with the Minister. It was a meeting I would characterize for its unusually frank talk, including the words of the Minister, who clearly feels there are no grounds for armed forces personnel, current or retired, to suffer a moment’s disadvantage because they live in this part of the United Kingdom.
“Some argue Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act makes it impossible to enforce the Military Covenant in Northern Ireland, but that is to misunderstand the nature of the Covenant, which is designed to ensure armed forces do not suffer disadvantage, rather than conferring any advantage. Put plainly, service personnel and veterans want a level playing field, and the point was put plainly and received in similar style by Anna Soubry.”