Rishi Sunak is expected to be told to say sorry on behalf of successive British governments to gay veterans booted out of the forces over their sexuality.
A copy of a landmark report recommends the Prime Minister issue an apology to thousands of troops kicked out for being gay. The study is said to include accounts of troops being given electric-shock conversion therapy and intrusive medical examinations amid witch hunts of people suspected of being gay.
It suggests the troops should be compensated for loss of earnings and for the suffering they went through. It is also said to recommend the heads of the Army, Royal Navy and RAF write individual letters of apology to gay veterans who suffered under the ban.
“The treatment of these Veterans, many of whom served in Iraq, Northern Ireland and the Falklands, was abhorrent and there must be nothing less than a meaningful apology on behalf of the nation by the Prime Minister,” campaigners Caroline Paige and Craig Jones MBE said in a joint statement.
Report author Lord Etherton calls for restorations of commissions and ranks of those sacked, and for military medals to be restored.
While homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967, anyone who was gay in the UK military before 2000 faced being booted out or had to hide their secret. Thousands were jailed or dismissed for their sexuality and many were outed to their families and friends against their will before the ban was lifted 23 years ago.
But the report, which was ordered by the Government last year and is waiting to be published, recommends the PM issue a formal apology. A version, seen by Bloomberg News, details a decades-long “culture of homophobia” in the military and says Mr Sunak should apologise.
“Promotion and enforcement of the policy by the Ministry of Defence and by many in the senior ranks of the armed forces set the ethos for other serving personnel in all ranks,” Lord Etherton.
He described it as a “stain on the illustrious history of the UK’s armed forces”. Ms Paige, CEO of campaign group Fighting With Pride and Mr Jones, the group’s Executive Chair, added: “Over 1100 veterans stepped forward in a community act of courage, to give evidence to the Review, the Government must now match that courage and punish long overdue report, which will finally tell the truth of the ban.
“There must be compensation for the damage done by the shameful treatment meted out on these veterans. The impact upon their lives has left many impoverished, in poor housing, separated from families and in poor health. Only substantial compensation and a surge of support, will give back to these veterans a little of the lives they lost.”
Lord Etherton was appointed to lead the inquiry in June 2022. He was the first openly gay judge of the senior courts, entering into a civil partnership in 2006 and a same-sex marriage eight years later.
Launching his probe 13 months ago, he said: “This is an important review that will provide an opportunity for veterans across the country who were affected by the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality to share their testimonies in a safe environment.
“This will allow me to make measured recommendations as to how the Government can meet their commitment to ensure that all veterans’ experiences are understood and valued.”
Mr Sunak has already been urged to apologise to gay veterans on behalf of the country.
Writing exclusively for The Mirror last month, Shadow Equalities Secretary Anneliese Dodds and Shadow Defence Minister Rachel Hopkins called for “an apology from the Prime Minister and determination from No10 to fix the lives broken by the ban - it is what LGBT+ veterans deserve”.
The Sunday Mirror has campaigned for justice for up to 20,000 LGBT+ veterans who were jailed or dismissed because of their sexuality.
Ministers ordered the review into financial hardship they suffered in response to the campaign, but have yet to commit to when they’ll publish the report.
Campaigners expected it to be published last month, but while the Cabinet Office insists it hasn’t been delayed, it has yet to see the light of day.
Shadow Veterans Minister Rachel Hopkins said: “LGBT+ veterans have showed exceptional courage by sharing their traumatic experiences with Lord Etheron’s review, but 19 months on it’s shameful they are still waiting for a response.
“The Prime Minister must stop delaying, publish the review now, and apologise on behalf of the Government for the ban’s appalling impact.
“We cannot right the wrongs of the past, but we must now do whatever it takes to help LGBT+ veterans to rebuild their lives and get the resolution they deserve. If the Conservatives won’t, Labour in Government will.”
A government spokesman said: “We are proud of our LGBT veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation.
"The treatment of LGBT serving personnel pre 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces. “We can confirm that Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report to the Government.
"We are carefully considering the findings and will respond in due course."
