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Veterans being hounded through the courts by lawfare will be spared in the first 100 days of a Reform UK government, Angus MacIntyre has pledged. Speaking to the Daily Express, Nigel Farage’s new defence spokesman slammed the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans as “utterly inhumane”.

He said: “I’m a Northern Ireland veteran. I served out there twice and am all too familiar with the environment that those soldiers had to face – from the constant bomb threats to the never-ending tension of the entire situation.

“These men and women deserve better than to be dragged back through the courts until the day they die. This is utterly inhumane. That’s why within my first 100 days of government I will end the witch-hunt against our Northern Ireland veterans.”

He added: “I would introduce new, robust legislation stopping all current and banning any future prosecutions of personnel for actions taken on sanctioned operations, save for the explicit, personal consent of the defence secretary.

“We will also create a new, strict 10-year time limit for any proceedings to be brought following an incident. We must draw a line under this episode and allow our armed forces to get on with protecting this country without fear.”

Mr MacIntyre was unveiled by Nigel Farage as the party’s new spokesman for defence at a packed-out rally in London earlier this week.

The appointment is a major coup for Reform, as Mr Farage seeks to stuff his top team with experts from outside Westminster.

Mr MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, spending 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with tours alongside the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment.

In 1999, he joined the RAF Regiment, serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia, and later spent a year embedded inside the Pentagon.

After Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022, he helped co-ordinate Britain’s support and made regular trips to Kyiv. He was awarded a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his work there.

Mr MacIntyre accused both main parties of leaving “our armed forces under severe pressure”.

He said: “The cuts during the Brown and Blair years took chunks from the ranks of all three services. The Conservatives promised to fix it, but over their 14 years in government, they oversaw a further decline in our military power.”

Mr Farage said: “Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined.”

Speaking at the time of his announcement, Labour took aim at how long it had taken to make the appointment.

Luke Pollard MP said: “Reform has treated defence as an afterthought – but in this volatile world, there are no second chances. Nigel Farage simply can’t be trusted to keep Britain safe.”