PerspectiveU.K. Defense Minister Johnny Mercer Declares War on Far-Right Influence on Military and Veterans

Far-right ideology in the military and among veterans must be stamped out as it has “nothing in common” with the armed forces’ values, Johnny Mercer, a new defense minister, has said.

In his first interview since joining the Ministry of Defense, he told The Times that political factions with “nasty thoughts and ideas” were trying to “use the veterans’ cause” to corral support.

There has been concern about hard-right elements infiltrating community and social media groups for former troops, as well as the military itself.

Last year Mikko Vehvilainen, 34, a former corporal in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was jailed for eight years for belonging to National Action, a proscribed far-right group. He was linked to three other soldiers, one of whom was discharged, while the other two were disciplined and continue serving.

Lucy Fisher writes in The Times that Mercer, now presiding over the new Office for Veterans’ Affairs, created by Boris Johnson, asserted that many voters feel dispossessed by the political make-up of parliament, and that hard-right groups were trying to attract soldiers and veterans with undeliverable promises. “I get it,” he said, “but going to these people is a fool’s errand and I’ll do everything I can to stamp it out. It’s totally out of keeping with our ethos, values and standing as an organization.”