UK - 'Derisory' compensation payment an insult to LGBT veterans say campaigners

[Lori Dee]

'Derisory' compensation payment an insult to LGBT veterans say campaigners
Link to Full Article
UK - BFBS Forces News - James Wharton
25th August 2024 at 9:00 am

The amount of compensation LGBT veterans are set to receive for the treatment they faced while serving in the armed forces has been criticised by campaigners.

Last year, the government published the Independent Review into the experiences of LGBT people in the military. It made several recommendations including compensation for those impacted.

Fighting with Pride believes that amount will be as little as £12,500.

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, Craig Jones, Head of Campaign at Fighting with Pride, described the figure as "derisory" and "absolutely not appropriate," adding the amount is far less than the compensation awarded to victims of other scandals.

Mr Jones said: "These people were serving in our armed forces [worldwide], in operations like Northern Ireland, the Falklands, in the Gulf. If they were found to be LGBT they were arrested, they were taken for investigation.

"Some of them were taken to military hospitals which was absolutely disgraceful. At court-martial, some were sentenced to six months, either in military detention or civilian prison. They were outed to their friends and families, and they lost their careers.

"£12,500 is absolutely not an appropriate sum for what happened to these people and its impact through their entire lives."

----------