THOUSANDS of LGBT veterans dishonourably thrown out of the military must be given their medals back and paid cash compensation, a government review will say.
Rishi Sunak will also be told to apologise to those ex-soldiers who were expelled during the armed forces’ “gay ban”.
Many faced financial ruin after losing their jobs and pension as well as being stripped of their honours.
And those discharged were banned from wearing military uniforms again – even on Remembrance Day.
Lord Etherton’s government-commissioned report into the scandal has now finished and is due to be published within weeks after critics accused ministers of dithering.
Trending In The News understands it will urge ministers to stump up money to compensate for the loss of wage and pension earnings.
And it will recommend all medals are rightfully restored and the uniform ban at ceremonies is lifted.
Internal estimates reckon as many as 20,000 soldiers were discharged before the LBGT ban was scrapped in the year 2000.
The report will detail examples of how these servicemen were driven out of the forces and were subject to intense questioning and even medical inspections.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace asked Lord Etherton – a retired judge – to conduct the report in June 2022 and since then he has been taking evidence from those affected.
A government spokesperson said: “We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation.
“The treatment of LGBT serving personnel pre 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces.
“We can confirm that Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report to the Government.
“We are carefully considering the findings and will respond in due course.”
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