A FORMER naval officer seeking compensation and recognition for historical wrongs against LGBT veterans has said he fears Labour will backslide on its redress pledges.  

Charity Fighting With Pride (FWP) highlights how survivors of the scandal suffered days of sometimes brutal interrogation when it was discovered they were gay.

Many were dismissed from the forces, lost out on job opportunities and were shunned by families and friends.

FWP leader Craig Jones said that LGBT veterans fear that the new Labour government will not live up to promises of restitution.

In opposition, Labour promised to fulfil calls for a parliamentary debate on reparations for armed forces personnel who suffered mistreatment before the so-called “gay ban” was lifted in 2000.

The party also appeared willing to reconsider the £50 million cap on a compensation scheme set in motion by the Tory government, according to FWP.

An independent review into the historical mistreatment of LGBT veterans concluded last year where compensation packages were promised.

Mr Jones said that ministers have stopped communicating their plans with FWP and warned that the £50m overall cap on payments could leave some mistreated veterans with a derisory amount of compensation.

By the official estimate, the current capped scheme would provide those eligible with one-off payments of £12,500 on average.

But a six-figure sum would be more appropriate for the some 2,500 “people who have lost so much” due to the scandal, Mr Jones said.

The money would help them out of expensive rented accommodation, give them “sufficient income” in their old age and help some with no savings to pay for their funerals.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said it has implemented 32 of the 49 recommendations from the review and will “establish an appropriate financial redress scheme” with more details later this year.