Wes Streeting Seeks Out-of-Court Deal With Gay Veterans

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is seeking an out-of-court resolution to a legal dispute involving gay veterans who were forced to leave the British armed forces due to their sexuality. The conflict centers on a 2024 LGBT financial recognition scheme that provides £50,000 payments to personnel who were formally dismissed, while offering significantly lower amounts to those whose departures were recorded as resignations.

Former personnel Steven Stewart and Mark Shephard launched a high court challenge, arguing that the current rules prolong an injustice against those who resigned under pressure. The government has allocated £75 million for the compensation scheme, with over £60 million already distributed to veterans affected by the ban on LGBT personnel, which remained in place until 2000.

Streeting stated the government wants to find a way forward that avoids legal action, though he has not promised to change the existing rules. He noted that the review aimed to ensure the government could act where records of dismissal existed.