A former SAS officer has delivered a devastating verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s Britain, warning veterans are being “hunted down” and persecuted for actions carried out decades ago.

His comments come as soldiers from the SAS threaten legal action over Labour’s Troubles Bill, which include a commission set up to investigate killings in Northern Ireland between 1968 and 1998.

Speaking to The People’s Channel, ex-SAS Officer Matthew Hellyer said: “This Government is not only persecuting British soldiers, it has a personal hatred against the SAS.

“These are soldiers who put their lives on the line every day to ensure we have freedom. Now they’re being hunted for things that happened 40 or 50 years ago.”

Mr Hellyer claimed veterans are living in fear of “a knock on the door from the police”, saying many face “stupid charges that should have been wiped away years ago”.

He explained: “”It’s shameful that the SAS, of all people, should be pushed to the point where they’re taking the Government to court.

“Why are we having to put bills in place to protect veterans who were sent to war by politicians?

“Those left-wing cronies have to stop it. They are hunting us down. They are ruining this nation, the British Army, the Special Air Service.

“They ruin everything that is British about us. We’ve lost faith in this Government and we’re losing faith in the system.

“I have law firms speaking to me daily, giving their time pro bono to help SAS soldiers get a fair trial and a fair crack at life after serving this country instead of being persecuted by Keir Starmer and the Labour Government.”

When asked how he feels about the country today, Mr Hellyer said: “This is not the country I signed up to serve. I served under Queen and Country.

“Would I sign up again? No not a chance. I would not serve under Starmer’s Government.

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“I serve under the Crown and for the people to my left and right. But these politicians are sending me into war and then prosecuting me when I come back.

“Ruining my life and potentially putting me in prison, leaving my children and wife to fend for themselves.

“Why on earth would you fight for this Government? We must get rid of this Government. It is ruining this country. It is tearing us apart.”

A Government spokesman told GB News: “After the false promises of the last Government, we are putting in place sex real, workable protections for veterans that the failed legacy act never did. We will not allow the process, like so many times before, to became the punishment for out veterans.”

Soldiers from the SAS are preparing to take legal action in response to Labour’s Troubles Bill.

The Special Air Service Regimental Association, which represents both serving and former members of the regiment, issued a formal letter to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, warning that the proposed legislation fails to properly protect veterans.

Labour has already scrapped the Conservatives’ Legacy Act, which would have offered immunity from prosecution to veterans who served in Northern Ireland.

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