Legion to defend Military Covenant in Armed Forces Bill Hearings
09 February 2011
The Royal British Legion will call on
David Cameron to honour his pledge to enshrine the Military
Covenant in law at an appearance before a Commons committee on
Thursday.
Chris Simpkins, Director General, will testify before the Select Committee of the Armed Forces Bill as part of its consideration of the Armed Forces Bill between 10.30am and 11.30am (approximately) in Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Westminster SW1A 2LW.
Mr Simpkins is expected to call on the Government to honour Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge, made on board HMS Ark Royal in June 2010, to enshrine the Military Covenant in law.
The draft Armed Forces Bill calls on the Ministry of Defence to publish an annual report on the pact between the nation and its Armed Forces, which Mr Simpkins has said "looks like the beginnings of a Government U-Turn".
The chief executive of the UK's largest Armed Forces charity is also expected to raise other concerns where legislation would water down independent monitoring of the Government's performance in upholding the Covenant; and of proposals to dismantle the Chief Coroner's Office, which the Legion has described as a "betrayal of Armed Forces families".
"We hope for the sake of our Armed Forces, that the Prime Minister honours his explicit commitment to enshrine the Military Covenant in law," Mr Simpkins said.
"Our politicians have the authority to send our Armed Forces into conflict, so their responsibility for the Covenant is the greatest."
ENDS
For interview requests, please contact:
Liam Maguire, Public Relations Officer, The
Royal British Legion
T: 0203 207 2242 M: 07769 968858 E: lmaguire@britishlegion.org.uk
