Veterans and MPs fear that repealing the Act would lead to prosecutions of soldiers while IRA members might remain protected, effectively creating a 'two-tier' justice system.

Hilary Benn defended the repeal, stating the Legacy Act was unlawful and did not provide real support for veterans, and emphasized the government's commitment to better legislation.

Critics like Lamont and Francois argued that the government is unfairly targeting veterans while terrorists are left unaccountable, stressing the moral distinction between soldiers and terrorists.

The Labour government announced plans to repeal the Act, citing criticism from human rights groups over the immunity it grants to soldiers, and aims to replace it with legislation that better supports victims and veterans.

Labour MP Louise Jones called for the repeal, criticizing the current law as unlawful and ineffective in supporting victims, advocating for a new approach to protect veterans from 'malicious lawfare'.

Conservative MP John Lamont warned that the changes could create a 'two-tier' justice system, with terrorists potentially receiving substantial payouts, such as Gerry Adams, due to legal discrepancies.

The protest was sparked by fears that repealing the Act could lead to veterans being prosecuted while IRA members might remain immune, creating a perceived 'two-tier' justice system.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith and other veterans' advocates voiced their anger, criticizing the legal system for unfairly pursuing soldiers while IRA members face little accountability, and warned this could harm future military operations.

Hundreds of veterans and their supporters protested outside Parliament on July 14, 2025, against the potential repeal of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which was enacted in 2023 to limit investigations into Troubles-related cases.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn defended the current legislation, stating that only one British soldier has been convicted since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, highlighting the need for reform to address unresolved cases and restore confidence among Northern Irish communities.

Veterans expressed concerns that they are being treated unequally and that the legal pursuit against them undermines military morale and recruitment efforts.

The debate in Westminster Hall drew significant public attention, with over 170,000 signatures on a petition urging the government to maintain the Act, which has strong public support.

Benn emphasized that the reforms are necessary because the current act lacks confidence among communities and fails to properly address ongoing investigations into soldiers' deaths.