Brighton Kemptown MP Chris Ward (Labour) has stood up in defence of LGBTQ+ veterans in the House of Commons, saying that compensation available to those affected by the British armed forces ‘gay ban’ isn’t enough.
Speaking about a constituent, Steve, who was dismissed by the RAF in 1985 over a relationship with a male officer, Mr Ward said: “He made the mistake of telling the truth and was sentenced to six months in jail. He lost his rank, he lost all his financial benefits, he lost his family and he lost a career he loved.
“When he was released he was 28 years old, homeless and with nowhere to turn.
“I’ve met Steve, he’s a man of huge honour and courage, but these are the words he said to me: ‘I felt washed in shame, my career was shattered, I had a criminal record, I had no pension and I had to live hand to mouth for the rest of my life surviving on benefits.’
“As we’ve heard today it’s not even an outlier.”
He added: “While I also recognise the financial situation this government operates under, can capping payments at an average of £12,500 per person really be appropriate for the level of injustice suffered by people like Steve and so many other LGBT veterans.”
Last month, military and LGBTQ+ charities joined forces to urge Keir Starmer to properly fund compensation for victims of the UK military’s ‘gay ban’, which existed until 2000 and saw personnel imprisoned, bullied and assaulted for revealing their sexuality.
A letter signed by over 20 of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ and veterans’ charities – including Fighting With Pride, Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes –urged the government to increase the current cap on compensation, currently set at £50 million
Critics say that level of funding would mean an average payout of just £12,500 for those affected by the ban.
Craig Jones MBE, who heads up the charity Fighting with Pride, said: “The funding intended for this scheme is inadequate and fails to take account of the shocking treatment inflicted upon a community of veterans who defended our peace and freedom, but were treated in a way in which the Prime Minister said had brought dishonour to our nation.”