BBC: Rishi Sunak has apologised for the historical treatment of LGBT veterans who were sacked or forced out of the military for being gay.
The PM called the ban an "appalling failure" of the British state.
It was illegal to be gay in the British military until 2000 - with thousands of veterans thought to be affected.
A report into their treatment recommended they be given a financial reward and that the PM publicly apologise.
Addressing MPs, the prime minister said: "Many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment all while bravely serving this country."
The LGBT Veterans Independent Review, led by Britain's first openly gay judge Lord Etherton, began last year and heard about the experiences of 1,145 veterans between 1967 to 2000.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967 but a ban continued in the armed forces. According to the report, the Ministry of Defence said at the time that justification for the policy included "maintenance of operational effectiveness and efficiency" - but the report said there had been an "incomprehensible policy of homophobic bigotry" in the armed forces.
It heard shocking accounts of homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults, "disgraceful" medical examinations, and conversion therapy. » | Megan Fisher, Lauren Moss and Josh Parry, BBC News | Wednesday, July 19, 2023
