This podcast series on the SAS in Northern Ireland by @Independent and @samkileynews is an SAS Association endorsed, groundbreaking first hand account of the successful campaign of counter-terrorist special operations there. For all those that want to know what was a major factor in bringing the brutal and unconstrained terrorists of the IRA to their knees, forcing them and their southern allies to choose the path of political negotiation with London, this is a vital, fascinating account… …and a story that has never been made public before; and from that time when the UK was resolved and able to defeat domestic terrorism in all its forms, and when its vital NATO allies felt completely safe to operate from its shores.

SAS Soldier B was justified in using lethal force to protect life in a fast-moving and dangerous situation in 1991; when playing his part in opposing an armed and violent insurrection in Northern Ireland. The soldiers that deployed to Northern Ireland at the request of the civil powers to defeat the IRA and other violent terrorists, risked their lives to protect the innocent. It was a solemn, serious and selfless duty. In countless, fast moving, confusing and dangerous moments they looked death in the face, did not yield to fear, doubt or threat, and made split-second, brave decisions to save lives. And in so doing, these courageous souls, these volunteers, helped to deliver the peace that we now enjoy and celebrate. They do not deserve to be persecuted in their retirement by a politically-motivated legal process, triggered NOT by new evidence but by the retrospective application of Human Rights Laws that were never designed to bound the counter-terrorist combat they were ordered to conduct on our behalves. All Strength and Honour to Soldier B and his remarkable friends, and may he, in his retirement, justifiably enjoy the peace he helped to create.

“The simple step of the courageous individual is to not take part in the lie." Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn would recognize the consistent bullshit coming out of the UK’s Ministry of Defence on defence capability, defence investment and getting ready for war as LIES; and those that peddle them as nothing more than careerist con-artists. There is no plan, no money and no leadership. Just talk, consultant-crafted sound-bites, catchy video-clips, conference speeches, dressing up for selfies, consistent, careless persecution of veterans and other nonsense. Nothing but LIES. I do hope this changes soon, and that the right (courageous and honest) leaders are chosen to change all this. But I see very little sign of it….