Veterans Demand Better Payout for Gay Ban

Veterans demand better payout for gay ban

Concerns Over Limited Payouts

Veterans who were dismissed from the armed forces due to their sexual orientation are raising concerns about the government’s compensation scheme, claiming it offers insufficient redress. The total available amount is set at £50 million, which the National Audit Office estimates would apply to around 4,000 eligible veterans. This implies an average payment of £12,500 per person.

Several prominent charities, including the Royal British Legion, have written to the prime minister, urging the government to raise the compensation cap.

Ministry of Defence Acknowledges Past Mistreatment

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) acknowledged that the historical treatment of these veterans was “wholly unacceptable.” A spokesperson stated that more information about the compensation scheme would be disclosed later in the year. The Veterans Minister recently confirmed the scheme’s launch in January.

This compensation is one of over 40 recommendations made by an independent review published in July 2023. The MoD claims to have already implemented more than 30 of these suggestions.

Charities Criticize Compensation as “Inadequate”

Leading veterans’ charities argue that the proposed £12,500 per person is “inadequate and unacceptably low,” failing to provide the sense of justice these veterans deserve. Although homosexuality began to be decriminalized in the UK in 1967, the military maintained its ban until 2000. Before that, those perceived to be gay often faced lengthy investigations and were subsequently dismissed.

Impact of the Ban on Veterans’ Lives

The repercussions of this ban were profound, with some individuals facing imprisonment as recently as 1995. One such case is that of Stephen Close, 62, who was convicted of gross indecency for kissing another man in Berlin during the 1980s. He was dismissed from the Army, subjected to interrogation and a degrading medical examination, and spent four months in military prison.

Mr. Close described how this conviction affected every aspect of his life for 30 years until he was pardoned in 2013. “My whole life was cut short from that day on,” he said. He faced ongoing financial difficulties, as his conviction barred him from many professions and opportunities, including adoption and fostering. “It was a massive strain on my mental health – and I’m still struggling today with it,” he added.

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Independent Review Exposes “Appalling Failure”

The LGBT Veterans Independent Review, which began in 2022, gathered testimonies from 1,145 veterans. Led by Lord Etherton, the UK’s first openly gay judge, the review exposed a history of bullying, assaults, and dismissals of LGBT service members, often leaving them without income or pensions. In response to the report, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized in Parliament, describing the ban as an “appalling failure” by the state.

In their letter to the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, veterans’ charities emphasized that £12,500 would not sufficiently honor the service and sacrifices of those affected. They referred to Lord Etherton’s description of the ban as “a stain upon the illustrious history of the armed forces” and criticized it as a policy enforced with “cruelty and zeal.”

Calls for Swift Action and Additional Support

In addition to compensation, several veterans have received symbolic acknowledgments from the MoD, such as badges and the restoration of medals. However, some, including Mr. Close, have refused to wear these badges until fair compensation is provided.

Other recommendations from the review, such as establishing an LGBT veterans’ memorial and clarifying pension rights, are still being implemented. Campaigners have expressed concerns over the need to expedite compensation, especially for elderly or ill veterans.

Craig Jones of the campaign group Fighting with Pride urged the government to act decisively. “This is the moment for the government to do the right thing,” he said.

The MoD has pledged to ensure this issue receives proper parliamentary scrutiny.