A decorated SAS veteran has issued a stark warning that Britain's national security is being compromised by the legal pursuit of special forces soldiers over decades-old incidents from the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Recruitment Crisis and Eroding Morale
In an exclusive interview, former Warrant Officer Class One Robert Craft, 68, revealed that the ongoing investigations into veterans are causing a recruitment and retention crisis within the elite regiment. He stated that the fear of future prosecution is putting potential recruits off from applying, leading to dangerous undermanning at a time of heightened global threats.
"At such a dangerous time as this, with so many war risks ongoing, the threat from Russia, pressure on the SAS could be putting the UK in peril," Craft told the Mirror. The veteran of 14 years in the SAS and 10 in the Parachute Regiment added, "If I was a young paratrooper again I would do selection for the SAS but I might not have stayed in as long if I saw what was happening."
Craft, who served with the secretive B Squadron on covert global missions and undercover in Northern Ireland, broke cover to speak on behalf of colleagues now in their late 60s and 70s who are facing investigation. He emphasised the regiment's ongoing critical role: "Right now there are SAS operations ongoing, protecting people like you and me... you are going to need the SAS on the ground."
The Legacy Bill Controversy
The controversy centres on the government's new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. This legislation aims to replace the previous Legacy Act, which was ruled unlawful. While the government argues it offers protections to veterans while allowing families to seek truth, veterans and their representatives claim it falls short.
The SAS Association is considering a judicial review, arguing that the bill fails to adequately separate soldiers from alleged terrorists in its processes. An internal memo from the association lamented that veterans are "being put through the wringer with no end in sight," while former IRA members received "letters of comfort," early release, and are "never bothered again."
Craft revealed that one recent report indicated a former soldier or RUC officer was 54 times more likely to be investigated than a terrorist. He stressed that the SAS is not seeking immunity for wrongdoing but argues that cases already examined by coroners' courts are being reopened based on hearsay, not new evidence.
Operational Realities and Political Authorization
The veteran provided rare insight into the stringent command chain governing SAS operations during the Troubles. He explained that any mission with the potential for lethal force was authorised at the very highest levels of government.
"All operations with the potential for lethal force were authorised by the PM," Craft stated. The process saw operational plans reviewed by ground commanders, then escalated to commanders in Northern Ireland and Hereford, the Chief of the General Staff, the Chief Constable, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and finally Number 10.
He described the relentless pressure of their work: "We were out most nights, searching... for explosive devices... We were in a high risk environment, operating covertly." Craft emphasised their role was life-saving, stating that finding a single device could save a patrol of nine or twelve soldiers and police officers.
"We were not a bunch of cowboys out there shooting people. We were saving lives," he asserted.
International Embarrassment and Future Capability
Mr Craft expressed concern that the situation is damaging Britain's reputation with key allies, particularly the United States. He revealed that American special forces units like Delta Force look on in "bewilderment" at the UK government's treatment of its own veterans.
This perception, he warned, could harm vital intelligence sharing and joint special forces operations at a time of rising tension with Russia. "Our capability is going to be reduced," Craft cautioned, adding that while soldiers will always answer the call, "in the back of their minds will be 'what will happen to me afterwards?'"
He concluded with a plea for the government to listen to veterans in shaping the new law: "When you treat the soldier and the terrorist as equals you don't strengthen the terrorist but you do disarm the soldier."
A Government spokesperson responded, stating their commitment to Operation Banner veterans is "unshakeable." They defended the new bill as delivering "six lawful and deliverable protections" designed in consultation with veterans, and noted constructive meetings with former senior officers and regimental associations.
