'This Government of human rights lawyers is prepared to...throw veterans to wolves'

REXIT warrior Mark Francois is at the heart of a new battle to protect veterans of the Armed Forces who served in Northern Ireland from being hauled from their homes to face vexatious prosecutions.

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The Shadow Defence Minister was a leading member of the “Spartans” — the MPs who fought to stop Britain signing up to a deal they believed would betray the millions of citizens who voted to leave the EU.

Now he is on the parliamentary front line again, opposing Labour’s plan to scrap a law passed by the last government to protect veterans from prosecution.

A petition opposing the changes attracted more than 195,600 signatures — and Mr Francois warns of serious consequences for Labour if former soldiers are “thrown to the wolves”.

He said: “My message to the Prime Minister would be: You're in enough trouble as it is. You've angered all sorts of different sections of the electorate, from pensioners to farmers. Don’t take on the veterans as well.”

Mr Francois believes Irish republicans are on a mission to rewrite history — and he warns that “lawfare” will crush morale in the Armed Forces community and dissuade people from serving at a time when Britain needs a strong military.

‘The so-called Legacy Act was fiercely opposed by people in both communities in Northern Ireland but Mr Francois argues that axing it will “put the sword of Damocles back over” the heads of those who risked their lives serving during the Troubles.