Rishi Sunak Apologises to LGBT Veterans for Past Armed Forces Gay Ban

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

Britain’s Military 'Not Good Enough' to Deal with Jihadi Threat, Warns Ex-defence Chief

Lord Richards asked in his maiden speech in the House of Lords:
'Are our armed forces in a fit state to play their role in dealing with
these and other risks to our way of life?'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Lord Richards of Hertsmonceux also calls for defence spending to increase as the economy starts to grow again and says that if plans to replace regular troops with part-time reserves must work soon or junked altogether.

Britain’s military is "not good enough” to deal with the global threat of Jihadis, according to a former head of the military.

Lord Richards of Hertsmonceux also called for defence spending to increase as the economy starts to grow again and said that if plans to replace regular troops with part-time reserves must work soon or junked altogether.

The comments from Lord Richards – who as General Sir David Richards was chief of the defence staff from October 2010 to July last year – will sound alarm bells in Whitehall.

In his maiden speech in the House of Lords on Monday evening the peer questioned whether Britain’s armed forces would be in a “fit state” to deal with threats from terrorists.

He said: “Are our armed forces in a fit state to play their role in dealing with these and other risks to our way of life? » | Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent | Monday, June 23, 2014

BBC Whitewash? Armed Forces Imam: UK 'Not At War With Islam'

Britain's armed forces first Muslim chaplain, Imam Asim Hafiz

BBC: The British armed forces' first Muslim chaplain says there is no conflict between being a Muslim and fighting for Britain.

Imam Asim Hafiz also challenged Muslim extremists who claimed the UK and US were waging a war against Islam.

Referring to people like the men who killed Fusilier Lee Rigby, he said: "These individuals are misled. They are not educated. They haven't necessarily studied the Koran... and have no appreciation of what the faith is about.

"To consider an unarmed individual in a time of peace to be a legitimate target for murder is absolutely unacceptable." Watch BBC video » | Monday, January 13, 2014

Saudi Troops Sent to Crush Bahrain Protests 'Had British Training'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabian troops sent into Bahrain to crush a popular uprising may have had British military training, the Government has admitted.

The British Government has said it is "deeply concerned" by reports of human rights abuses in Bahrain, where the ruling royal family has used Saudi troops to put down Shi'ite demonstrations.

The Sunni royal family in Saudi Arabia fears the growing influence of Shi'ite Iran in the Middle East, and is helping Bahrain's Sunni rulers retain power.

The Ministry of Defence has now admitted that members of the Saudi Arabian National Guard sent into Bahrain may have received military training from the British Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia.

The revelation is likely to renew allegations that the Coalition is sending mixed messages on democracy in the Middle East.

Despite British criticism of the Bahrainis' actions, David Cameron last week welcomed the Crown Prince of Bahrain to Downing Street, drawing criticism from human rights groups. » | James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Britain's Top Soldier Says al-Qaeda Cannot Be Beaten
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The new head of Britain's armed forces, Gen Sir David Richards, has warned that the West cannot defeat al-Qaeda and militant Islam.

General Sir David Richards, new head of Britain's armed forces, said the threat posed by 'al-Qaeda and its affiliates' meant Britain's national security would be at risk for at least 30 years. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
He said defeating Islamist militancy was "unnecessary and would never be achieved".

However, he argued that it could be "contained" to allow Britons to lead secure lives.

Gen Richards, 58, said the threat posed by "al-Qaeda and its affiliates" meant Britain's national security would be at risk for at least 30 years.

The general, who will today lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in memory of Britain's war dead, said the West's war against what he described as a "pernicious ideology" had parallels with the fight against Nazi Germany in the Second World War. >>> Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent | Saturday, November 13, 2010

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: General Sir David Richards: Why we cannot defeat al-Qaeda – General Sir David Richards, the new chief of the defence staff, believes the bravery of British soldiers fighting in the war on terrorism has parallels those who gave their lives in the fight against Fascism in the Second World War. >>> Sean Rayment | Sunday, November 14, 2010

UK Honours Its Armed Forces


THE TELEGRAPH: Armed Forces Day: Queen pays tribute to courage of British servicemen and women – The Queen has spoken of the "admirable professionalism and courage" displayed by Britain's servicemen and women as thousands of people began lining the streets to celebrate Armed Forces Day. >>> | Saturday, June 26, 2010

BNP Leader Nick Griffin Accuses Police of Abandoning His Security at BBC
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, has accused the police of refusing to discuss security arrangements for his visit to the BBC on Thursday.


Anti-fascist campaigners plan to stage a protest against Mr Griffin's presence on Question Time when it is filmed at the BBC's Television Centre in west London.

Mr Griffin said the party has formally requested that the Metropolitan Police appoint a liaison officer so he could discuss police arrangements for his entrance to the studio.

He said a "middle ranking" officer told him, "It's your problem, not ours."

Mr Griffin added: "I merely wanted to arrange a meeting to discuss the situation and for the police to appoint a liaison officer so that I can actually get into the building safely.

“In such a situation, this is standard procedure and a perfectly responsible thing to do but they refused outright. It was explained that the reason for the request was to ensure there would be a minimum of public disruption outside the BBC studios on Thursday.

“I can only deduce that the police will simply stand and watch if, as is quite likely, there is disruption when I arrive at the studio. I asked the police to put this in writing but they refused.

"This is an outrageous dereliction of police duty and I am minded to seek a judicial review in view of this action, or rather in-action." >>> Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Leaked Membership List and Generals Renew Pressure on BNP
TIMES ONLINE: The British National Party came under attack from two fronts today as a group of retired generals accused it of hijacking the Armed Forces and its entire membership list was again leaked onto the internet.

The party said that it was the victim of an orchestrated campaign timed to coincide with the scheduled appearance of its leader, Nick Griffin, on BBC's Question Time this week.

The generals, including the past two heads of the Army, accused the BNP of tarnishing the Armed Forces' reputation by associating itself with the sacrifices of servicemen.

In a letter seen by The Times, they wrote: "We call on all those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain’s military for their own advantage to cease and desist. The values of these extremists — many of whom are essentially racist — are fundamentally at odds with the values of the modern British military, such as tolerance and fairness."

The broadside reflected widespread frustration within the Forces at the fact that the BNP is allowed to portray itself as the party of patriots in its literature, borrowing military images and pictures of Winston Churchill.

But Mr Griffin quickly launched a counter-attack, saying that his party shared the values of the "old" British military, not the new "PC British defence establishment". With video >>> Philippe Naughton and Aled Thomas | Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Former Senior Military Figures on New List of 'BNP Members' as BBC Reviews Leader Griffin's Question Time Appearance
DAILY MAIL: 'Members' include military figures, doctors, academics / BNP denounces document as 'malicious forgery' / BBC Trust review Griffin's involvement after Hain letter

Former senior military figures are among members of the British National Party, according to a new list published today.

The leaked document of those affiliated to the far-right party, which was posted on the web, includes several majors, scores of doctors and some professors.

It purports to show the membership as of April 15 this year and lists names, street addresses, post codes, mainline telephone and mobile phone numbers.

But the BNP denounced the list as a 'malicious forgery', insisting it is 'unequivocally' not genuine and many of the names had never been in touch with the party.

This is the third time in recent years that such a list has been published and comes days before leader Nick Griffin is due to appear on BBC's Question Time. >>> | Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Our Demoralised Forces
THE TELEGRAPH: The head of the Army has warned that years of Government under-funding and overstretch have left troops feeling "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue", The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, reveals in a top-level report that the present level of operations is "unsustainable", the Army is "under-manned" and increasing numbers of troops are "disillusioned" with service life.

Gen Dannatt states that the "military covenant is clearly out of kilter", and the chain of command needs to improve standards of pay, accommodation and medical care. Our forces can't carry on like this, says General Sir Richard Dannatt (more) By Sean Rayment

Mark Alexander