TRUSTPOLITICS
Mr Paul Kohler

Mr Paul Kohler

Liberal Democrat — Wimbledon

Speaking in the House of Commons on 18 November 2025

Debate

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Contribution

I absolutely agree. The Bill will have profound implications for both service morale and future recruitment, particularly with respect to our special forces. That is why it must go further. With more than 10% of the Lib Dem Benches made up of former members of the armed services, my parliamentary party is acutely aware of the risks that veterans talk about and the sacrifices they and their fallen comrades made. Our concern is fairness, not shielding wrongdoing. Under this Bill, many veterans will remain exposed to uncertainty, possible retrospective judgment and scrutiny of sensitive personal data and service records. That concern is heightened by the stark disparity in record keeping. The actions of veterans were documented in detail, whereas the activities of those engaged in terrorism were not. That results in an imbalance in documentary evidence that must be acknowledged and addressed. It is noteworthy that while the state has protected itself through the Secretary of State’s discretion over the handling of sensitive information, the Bill gives veterans no such safeguards.
← Previous speaker
In this debate
Next speaker →
In this debate

More from Mr Paul Kohler

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

View Mr Paul Kohler's full report card →

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Mr Paul Kohler's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Mr Paul Kohler report card.