Veterans minister Johnny Mercer ‘is on the brink of quitting over failure to protect Troubles soldiers from being persecuted’
- Defence minister Johnny Mercer is believed to be on the brink of quitting his job
- Thought to be frustrated at the lack of protections for veterans of Troubles
- Suggestions Mr Mercer will wait until key piece of legislation is passed by MPs
Defence minister Johnny Mercer is on the brink of quitting over the government’s failure to protect Troubles troops, it was claimed today.
The Tory MP has been increasingly frustrated with the safeguards on offer to stop veterans of Northern Ireland from being hounded.
Mr Mercer is said to have told colleagues that he is on the verge of tendering his resignation to Boris Johnson.
However, there are suggestions that he will wait until after Overseas Operations Bill has passed through the Commons this week.
Rumours are swirling at Westminster that the government is about to accept an amendment to the legislation exempting torture, war crimes and genocide from protection.
Defence minister Johnny Mercer is on the brink of quitting over the government’s failure to protect Troubles troops, it was claimed today
There have also been claims the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is set to have its budget cut by 40 per cent.
Downing Street said the reports of Mr Mercer – a former solider – resigning were ‘speculation’.
The PM’s spokesman refused to comment on whether Mr Johnson will be speaking with Mr Mercer later.
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