Soldiers kicked out of army because of sexuality can claim back medals

Gay people and other members of the LGBTQ community were not allowed to serve in the military until a rule change in 2000
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Soldiers dismissed from service because of their sexuality are now able to reclaim lost medals.

The Prime Minister welcomed the chance to address the “historical wrong” after a court-martialled soldier took the Ministry of Defence to court and won over his dismissal.

Boris Johnson tweeted: “Those who serve in our Armed Forces deserve every recognition for their service.

“It was a very great injustice that this was denied to some members simply because of their sexuality. I hugely welcome the fact we can now address this historic wrong.”

Under the scheme, affected former personnel can apply to have their case reviewed by the defence council, with successful applicants receiving a new medal from the MoD’s Medal Office.

Relatives of affected ex-military members who have since died are also able to apply for a review.

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer invited former soldiers who could be affected to come forward, adding: “I’m determined to address the scars of our past.

“So from today, we are opening up a process to reinstate operational medals to those who were stripped of them just for being gay. Thank you for your service, and I’m sorry for what happened to you”.

The move comes after Falklands veteran Joe Ousalice successfully took the MoD to court to have his medal returned after claiming he was forced to leave the Royal Navy because of his sexuality.

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Mr Ousalice lost his family, home and livelihood almost overnight after being court-martialled in November 1993, as well as having his pension reduced and medals cut off his chest.

The 70-year-old from Southampton, Hampshire, had his medal for long service and good conduct confiscated when he was discharged.

Mr Ousalice told the Today programme that he had been court-martialled on a separate matter, of which he was cleared, but found guilty of “conduct prejudicial to the good order and naval discipline” for his sexuality.

The former radio operator had an 18-year naval career in the Navy and served in the Falklands War and the Middle East, as well as six tours of Northern Ireland.

He described his treatment as “absolutely disgusting”.

“I was taken to the captain of HMS Portland Naval Base and told in no uncertain terms how disgusting people such as I had no place in the armed forces,” he said.

Mr Ousalice added: “(The captain said) he revolted in the thought of me and wanted me out as soon as possible.

“They just chucked me out with no back up, no support from anybody, I had no money coming in,” he said.

“I lost my house in Cornwall, I lost my family, I was looking for work left, right and centre and basically I was pinching food from farmers’ fields to survive.”

He believes he may have come under suspicion because he spoke to a military chaplain about whether bisexual people should be able to serve in the Navy.

It was not until a few years ago that Mr Ousalice came out to friends and family – when he decided to seek justice by campaigning to get his medals back.

The move comes four years after the so-called “Turing law”, named after Alan Turing, which issued posthumous pardons to gay men who were convicted of sexual offences under laws which have since been repealed.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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