TOP Brass and MoD penpushers have been accused of “snubbing” Troubles veterans by refusing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of operations in Northern Ireland.
Over 300,000 troops bravely served during the Troubles on Operation Banner – the longest campaign in British military history.
Bloody fighting claimed 1,441 servicemen and left thousands more injured between 1969 and the summer of 2007.
But in a shock move officials have told The Sun the Armed Forces and MoD have “no plans to commemorate” the historic 50th anniversary of the start of operations on August 14th.
Instead the Royal British Legion is hosting a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, as the lone event marking the moving military anniversary.
And one defence insider hinted if the RBL did not step in the milestone might have been ignored “completely.”
MoD sources insisted the decision was made because the Armed Forces doesn’t mark the beginning of operations – only the end.
That is despite the fanfare this week over the announcement of a host of events to celebrate 50 years since the start of nuclear armed submarine patrols.
Or the decision to commemorate the start of World War I in 2014.
Instead critics blamed the decision on political correctness and a cowardly attempt not to inflame tensions while Brexit negotiations rage.
The decision comes amid widespread anger over the legal witch hunt of veterans – many now pensioners – over their roles in the Troubles.
Last night Troubles veterans lined up to slam the move – saying they had been “airbrushed” from history.
Former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, Colonel Richard Kemp, said: “This is a deliberate snub intended to appease Irish Republicans.
“1,441 members of the forces and 319 RUC police officers were killed during the Troubles, during which more than 300,000 troops deployed to the province.
“These men and women and their police colleagues daily risked life and limb to protect innocent civilians from terrorist killing and subjugation.
“Their sacrifice played the greatest role in taking Northern Ireland from a state of insurrection to the safe and prosperous place it is today.
“Veterans of Op Banner will not understand why the government is turning its back on them alone and this decision will be seen as a lack of appreciation for their service by members of the Armed Forces today.”
Belfast born Colonel Tim Collins, who served multiple tours in Northern Ireland, blamed crass “political pressure” for the snub.
He said: “It’s a political decision and the MoD won’t move without politics. There has been a shady deal done with Sinn Fein and the IRA.
“They will have nixed it and said such a thing would be seen as provocation, the Irish government would say the same.
“The Government has got itself into a state on this.”
And SAS veteran Andy McNab, another Troubles veteran, said: “This anniversary should be held in the same esteem as others we regularly commemorate – not airbrushed from history.
“No one wants to be triumphalist here – but the sacrifice of Operation Banner and the peace they helped secure – must be commemorated.”
And former Army officer turned MP Richard Drax, who served three tours in Northern Ireland, raged: “This whole Op banner debacle and the way soldiers are being chased decades after this ghastly conflict is appalling.
“There has always been a level of embarrassment about Northern Ireland and I do think sadly all too often for political reasons, soldiers have been sacrificed on the altar of compromise.
“I met many brave soldiers, policemen and woman and civilians, all of whom did their level best to bring peace back to that part of the United Kingdom and I think it should be recognised.”
Insiders branded the MoD’s logic on the move “perverse”, saying it had not been applied to other campaign anniversaries.
In 2014 a raft of commemoration events were organised to mark the beginning of World War I.
And it stands in stark contrast to the huge fanfare last week over the announcement of plans to celebrate the 75 years since the D-Day landings.
To mark 50 years since the first nuclear armed sub patrols began the Royal Navy will hold services of thanksgiving in London and Edinburgh and a parade on the Clyde.
It is part of a “year of commemoration” unveiled last week to mark that beginning of that operation.
Experts also warned if the MoD waited until the 50th anniversary of the end of operations, all the veterans who served in that conflict would most likely be dead by then.
Exact details of the RBL event are yet to be confirmed but a secular ceremony will recognise both the service and sacrifice of the British Armed Forces during Operation Banner.
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They are currently asking the families of the dead and veterans to register their interest in attending.
An MoD Spokesperson said: “We do not traditionally commemorate the beginning of an operation, rather its conclusion or a significant turning point in a conflict, as with D-Day.
“However, we do grant funding to the Royal British Legion to deliver National Commemoration Events, including the anniversary of Op Banner, and we are currently considering what further support could be provided.”
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News Photo Troubles veterans snubbed as Armed Forces and MoD have ‘no plans’ to commemorate 50th anniversary in August
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