Rishi Sunak has been urged to apologise to veterans who were kicked out of the armed forces for being gay.
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 sexuality.
Thousands were jailed or dismissed for their sexuality before the ban was lifted 23 years ago.
Many were outed to their families and friends against their will.
Marking Pride Month, Labour frontbenchers tonight step up calls for the Prime Minister to issue a formal apology.
The demand comes amid fears an official review by Lord Etherton into the treatment of gay people in the Army, RAF and Royal Navy in the decades running up to 2000 may be delayed.
However, sources stressed that when the inquiry was ordered, no date was set for when it should report.
Writing exclusively for the Mirror, Shadow Equalities Secretary Anneliese Dodds and Shadow Defence Minister Rachel Hopkins say: “Publishing the review and acting immediately on its recommendations can begin the healing process.
“A central part of this has to be an apology from the Prime Minister and determination from No10 to fix the lives broken by the ban - it is what LGBT+ veterans deserve.”
Ms Hopkins said: “For decades, LGBT+ veterans have had to wait for formal recognition of their mistreatment.
“Many LGBT+ veterans have shown enormous courage to share traumatic experiences with Lord Etherton’s review.
“The Prime Minister should now show some courage by publishing the review and apologising on behalf of the Government for the impact of the ban.
“While we cannot right the wrongs of the past, the Government has a duty to ensure those affected receive the right resolution and personal support to rebuild lives.”
Ms Dodds added: "Our LGBT+ heroes should never have been punished for who they love or who they are.
"There can't be any more delays on this review.
“The Conservatives need to urgently get on and start the process of making amends for this historical injustice.”
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 12 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.”
A Government spokeswoman said: “We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation.
“We can confirm that Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report to the Government.
"In line with the terms of reference we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course."
On claims of a delay to the report, a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: “As per the LGBT Veterans Independent Review Terms of Reference, the Government will publish the report and its response in due course.
“There is no delay to either the publication of the report and the response.”
Shadow Equalities Secretary Anneliese Dodds and Shadow Defence Minister Rachel Hopkins write exclusively for the Mirror
Until 2000, it was illegal to be gay in the UK Armed Forces.
The loss of livelihoods and long-term suffering endured by LGBT+ veterans as a result of this cruel and unjust policy has been immense.
As many as 20,000 LGBT+ military personnel were jailed, dismissed, outed to their families or subject to abuse because of their sexuality or gender identity, while many more were forced to conceal their true identity for fear of recrimination.
LGBT+ veterans put their lives at risk to protect our country.
They were our nation’s heroes yet suffered a serious injustice for simply being themselves. That’s why we were pleased when the Government reflected proposals put forward by Labour in the Armed Forces Act, by launching a historic review into their experiences.
We pay tribute to the LGBT+ veterans and groups like Fighting with Pride who have campaigned tirelessly for justice over this appalling treatment.
But 18 months on, we are still waiting for Lord Etherton’s Review to be published and LGBT+ veterans are still awaiting justice.
Labour was proud to repeal the ban in 2000 - just as we are proud of our record on LGBT+ issues in government when we repealed the pernicious Section 28, equalised the age of consent, and introduced civil partnerships.
But we need new action now to repair the damage of the past.
What matters most to many veterans is recognition of the historic mistreatment and how unjust it was.
LGBT+ veterans have shown outstanding courage by revisiting traumatic memories to contribute to the review - and their personal testimonies should be heard.
Publishing the review and acting immediately on its recommendations can begin the healing process.
Rumours of further delays have to end.
A central part of this has to be an apology from the Prime Minister and determination from No10 to fix the lives broken by the ban - it is what LGBT+ veterans deserve.
Etherton’s recommendations should be accepted and acted on by the Government – and soon.
This support system needs to be inclusive, recognising the different ways these veterans were affected by the ban and dismissed.
We cannot right the wrongs of the past but we can now do whatever it takes to help LGBT+ veterans rebuild their lives and get the resolution they need.
If the Conservatives fail to act, then Labour in government will.
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