The Ulster Unionist Party has called on Westminster to introduce an Armed Forces Advocate for Northern Ireland.

Party Leader Mike Nesbitt said: "Northern Ireland is the only nation or region of the United Kingdom not to recognise the debt of gratitude we owe the members of the Armed forces by the appointment of an advocate to look after their interests in terms of social policy."

The Strangford MLA says a Bill to improve the operation of the Northern Ireland Assembly currently under consultation by the Northern Ireland Office could be used to introduce an amendment to secure an Armed Forces Advocate.

"It appears that there is no prospect of securing the cross-community support that would be required to introduce the Advocate through the Assembly, but I cannot imagine anyone at Westminster, who exercises their vote, objecting to the proposal," he said.

"This is about equality. Armed Forces personnel and veterans are not asking for special treatment, they just want equal treatment.

"For example, a Regiment that has one Battalion based here with a sister Battalion in Great Britain will find the soldiers billeted in Northern Ireland are denied the support and advocacy that is on tap for their colleagues elsewhere in the UK."

Mr Nesbitt said he had already contacted the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and the Shadow Secretaries at the Labour Party Conference.

"Some were surprised it remains a controversial issue in Northern Ireland, others appeared unaware of the inequality," he said.

"With Commissioners for Older People, Children and Young People, Victims & Survivors, and Commissions for Equality and Human Rights, and the rest, it is simply unfair not to have an Advocate for former and serving members of the military."

(IT)