BY DR ROBERT PARR

How Politicians’ Betrayal of Britain’s Elite Fighting Force Endangers Us All. State-sponsored witch-hunts force battle-scarred SAS soldiers to face endless inquiries while terrorists walk free

As has been highlighted across the pages of this magazine before, the UK’s Special Air Service Regiment, that most famous of military units in the post-World War II era, finds itself under unprecedented scrutiny. Not from external enemies, but from the state itself.

The Regiment isn’t alone. Across Britain’s security apparatus — from armed forces personnel to counter-terrorist police and intelligence operatives — veterans find themselves harried and harassed from pillar to post. They face unending inquiries into historical events that have already been investigated and cleared through judicial or statutory processes. These examinations sometimes span more than half a century, with elderly veterans repeatedly called to recount long-past events.

At the core of this lies the government’s claimed legal obligation to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. Yet what of the rights of those under investigation? Their right to freedom from state harassment, protection from vexatious litigation, and peace in their twilight years after risking everything for their country?

The SAS has been a crucial instrument of state security since World War II, operating through colonial conflicts, the Cold War, and modern counter-terrorism. Their work, conducted under strict secrecy, has inevitably attracted suspicion and speculation. The human cost has been enormous — the clock tower at their Herefordshire base bears testament to this, its bronze plaques listing those who died serving their nation since the 1950s.

Beyond the fallen, countless survivors bear physical and mental scars. Some live rough or battle addiction; others have taken their own lives. These were not superheroes but vulnerable humans who dared all in service of their nation.

The current political climate appears to prioritise virtue-signalling over duty of care to service personnel. This ‘woke’ revisionism promotes individual rights above national security, seemingly ignorant that liberal freedoms only exist when the state can maintain security under democratic law.

Our enemies play by different rules — or none at all. They’ve murdered politicians, police officers, and civilians; bombed public spaces; conducted sectarian killings; and in recent years, perpetrated mass-casualty attacks through suicide bombings and public executions.

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Against these threats, the SAS has operated covertly for decades. One Special Forces unit, operational for over 50 years, has received more than 1,100 gallantry awards among just 1,300 personnel — an unprecedented recognition of courage and commitment.

Special Forces operations often occur in isolation, without conventional military support structures. This requires extraordinary courage — whether parachuting into enemy territory, exiting submarines off hostile shores, or conducting covert operations in hostile urban environments.

While the SAS shouldn’t be immune from investigation, these incidents have already been examined through coroners’ courts or statutory inquiries. In all cases, personnel were found to have acted lawfully. Why, then, are these matters being re-examined without new evidence?

The government cites ‘transitional justice’ requirements, particularly regarding Northern Ireland. However, this process is fundamentally flawed — while state actors must comply under threat of legal penalty, paramilitaries face no such obligation. This creates an unbalanced system that privileges former terrorists over Crown servants.

In October 2024, three senior SAS commanders publicly warned that the Regiment’s future could be at risk due to this persecution. Their unprecedented break with tradition highlights profound concerns about the dilution of vital capabilities.

They advocated invoking Article 15 of the ECHR, which allows derogation from Article 2 (right to life) during wartime or public emergency. This wouldn’t grant immunity — the Laws of Armed Conflict would still apply — but would recognise the fundamental difference between military operations and civilian law enforcement.

The SAS has consistently protected British citizens from various threats, operating tirelessly in the shadows. These are not rogue soldiers, but national heroes who’ve been recognised as such through numerous honours. The current treatment of veterans threatens to undermine the operational capability of our Special Forces as a strategic asset.

This issue demands robust political leadership and public discourse, balancing necessary operational secrecy with accountability to ensure Britain maintains its crucial special operations capability while upholding proper oversight.

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Dr Robert Parr is a 25-year veteran of UK Special Forces, National Intelligence and the Royal Marines. He holds a PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London and was appointed OBE for outstanding service with Special Forces.