Elliott condemns “nit-picking” over RIR Pensions
Ulster Unionist Fermanagh & South Tyrone assembly candidate, Tom Elliott, has criticised government plans to offer pension payments to part-time Royal Irish officers, while continuing to refuse to extend the same rights to other ranks as “needless nit-picking”.
Mr Elliott, who served in the UDR and RIR for some 18 years, made the comments as the case brought by part-time soldiers seeking proper recognition from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues.
In a statement Tom said: “I understand government have offered pension rights to the part-time officers because contractually they are the same as full-time officers, however they will not extend pension rights to the many part-time soldiers because their contract differs from that of their regular counterparts.
“The MoD appears to be dragging its heels on this issue, such needless nit-picking does little to improve confidence that the ministry is doing all in its power to provide the level of welfare that the forces deserve.
“Many men and women, be they privates, NCOs, or officers, provided an essential service to the people of Northern Ireland throughout the darkest days of the Troubles. During some of the worst days in our history it was key that all ranks trained and worked together – such camaraderie was vital when dealing with the threat of terrorism.”
Tom concluded by saying: “For the MoD to reluctantly offer pension rights to officers alone is an insult to the commitment of all part-timers irrespective of rank. I would suspect that officers would wish that the soldiers they served with would be fully recognised by government too.”