Our hounded heroes

WhAT a thoroughly shabby deal so many of our soldiers receive from their country.

having risked life and limb in foreign conflicts, they return to face a new fight – against a battery of ambulance- chasing lawyers accusing them of war crimes.

After the downfall of corrupt solicitor Phil Shiner – who made hounding our troops into an industry – the Mail had hoped the witch-hunt was over.

But law firm Leigh Day is now pursuing another 250 compensation cases against the MoD over alleged abuse of Iraqi civilians.

Meanwhile northern Ireland veterans – many now in their 70s – could be dragged into court over historic murder charges, as IRA killers walk the streets with impunity.

Whatever happened to the military covenant, under which the Government pledges that anyone who serves their country will receive fair treatment when their service is over? Today, that promise sounds like a hollow sham.