Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention

Paul Kohler Excerpts

Monday 5th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)]

I am supportive of the Government’s desire to move beyond the Tories’ failed legacy Act, provided that the legitimate concerns of our veterans are met. However, I am not convinced that the Northern Ireland Office is even listening to, let alone acting upon, those concerns. Can the Minister tell the House what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Office to address veteran concerns? What would he say to veterans dissatisfied with the safeguards in the Bill?

[Al Carns]

For almost a year and a half now, I have been in constant discussion with various veterans groups, whether that is co-ordinated by the Royal British Legion or whether that is individuals from our intelligence community, our special forces community or the Parachute Regiment, all the way through to line infantry members in the Navy and the Air Force. I have been listening. We have designed these protections around what they have said. We are reinforcing that into legislation, and my office is in daily contact with the Northern Ireland Office to ensure that we shore up those protections collaboratively and come out with the best possible way to get to truth, reconciliation and justice across all three different groups within Northern Ireland.

Draft Space Industry (Licence Exemption for Military Activities of Allies) Regulations 2025

Paul Kohler Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2025 General Committees

[Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)]

It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Furniss. I rise to speak in support of these regulations, but I ask the Government to err on the side of caution when implementing them. The Liberal Democrats are, of course, fully supportive of the Ministry of Defence’s vital work, and we wholeheartedly support our armed forces. We recognise that they often work hand in glove with our allies and, consequently, these regulations are a welcome step to further that co-operation.

The regulations, however, require some caution. Over the last few years, we have seen other countries influenced by foreign powers via the manipulation of social media and other inappropriate actions. We therefore call on the Secretary of State to be careful in how these regulations are implemented. The strongest safeguards should be put in place to prevent any manipulation of the regulations.