On Tuesday 3 November, The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill was passed at third reading.
Sarah Dines MP said: ‘After a lively debate I am proud that this Bill has now passed its third reading and will shortly receive Royal Assent and become law. Despite Labour voting against this Bill, it was passed by a significant majority.
The main purpose of the Bill is to provide greater legal protections to Armed Forces personnel and veterans serving on military operations overseas. This concerns the framework of law governing armed conflicts. This Bill will help to ensure essential legal protections for both Service personnel and Veterans who have served on military operations overseas. The Bill will help tackle vexatious claims and the cycle of reinvestigations.
When I was elected as an MP in December 2019 I immediately joined the Veterans All Party Parliamentary Group. I am passionate about supporting our Armed Forces, to whom we owe a vast debt of gratitude. The new law will defend our veterans and protect them from the increasing influence of “law fare” where veterans have often faced vexatious and unwarranted legal action under suspect legal actions often historically funded by U.K. legal aid and brought by a rising human rights industry against our service men and women.
I have had the privilege of seeing this Bill through from second reading and Bill Committee, and in the week before Remembrance Sunday too. This is a great tribute to our servicemen and service personnel.
Since my election I have received countless emails from veterans and supporters of our wonderful armed services and I have been humbled by the contents. Since my election I have been to numerous clubs for veterans in the constituency and have always been greeted with warmth and a strong sense of community duty. I will not hesitate to put the rights of our service personal and veterans first when I can.’
