Extension of military covenant is being blocked on sectarian grounds: DUP MP

MILITARY veterans are being hampered by “sectarian intransigence” in Northern Ireland, a DUP MP has claimed.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson claimed Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill was blocking the implementation of the military covenant.

Bringing forward a Ten Minute Rule Bill on the Armed Forces Covenant (Duty of Public Authorities), Mr Robinson said the treatment of veterans was “substandard” despite the “enormous sacrifice” of soldiers who served during the Troubles.

Referring to Mrs O’Neill, when she was Health Minister, he said: “She stated categorically the Armed Forces Covenant does not apply in Northern Ireland — in fact she said it doesn’t apply ‘here’ because she can’t bring herself to say Northern Ireland.

“She was wrong but she was able to abuse her ministerial role to frustrate the honourable out-working of our nation’s commitment.

“Such sectarian intransigence exists and, depending on the allocation of ministerial office in Northern Ireland, has the potential to block the implementation of all the key operational departments.

“The shame of such action is only matched by the apparent unwillingness of this Parliament to meet it head on.”

The military covenant represents Britain’s duty of care to its armed forces, in return for the sacrifices made in the line of duty.

The coalition Government enshrined the covenant in law for the first time in November 2011, requiring the Defence Secretary to make an annual statement on what the Government is doing to support the armed forces.

But a long-running dispute between the DUP and Sinn Fein means no action has been taken here, unlike in the other UK regions.

Sinn Fein has voiced its opposition to the full implementation of the covenant and has reportedly claimed it amounts to “a cover-up”.

Mr Robinson’s Bill calls for a statutory duty to implement the covenant and was uncontested.