Danny Kinahan resigns as NI veterans commissioner

Danny Kinahan was appointed to the role in 2020

Northern Ireland's first ever veterans commissioner Danny Kinahan has resigned.

In a statement, he said he “cannot provide the independent voice that veterans require”.

Mr Kinahan, a former Ulster Unionist MP who served as a captain in the Blues and Royals Regiment, was appointed to the role in 2020.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn thanked Mr Kinahan for his “dedicated work on behalf of veterans and families living in Northern Ireland”.

Mr Kinahan said that veterans in Northern Ireland “do not enjoy the same protection as their counterparts in Great Britain”.

He said he had decided to resign following an “open and frank” conversation with Mr Benn.

Mr Kinahan added: “Veterans in Northern Ireland have particular needs and concerns which need to be addressed by the UK Government, which I have made very clear in our discussions.”

Mr Kinahan was the first veterans commissioner to be appointed in Northern Ireland.

Mr Benn said in his role as commissioner Mr Kinahan had spent four years working with veterans on a range of issues.

The government, the secretary of state said, would “continue to engage with him on these issues”.

He added: “We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.”

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said Mr Kinahan's resignation raises questions for the government.

"The Northern Ireland Office must urgently address the widespread concern of veterans who valued Danny's personal commitment and move quickly to assuage their concerns," he said.

Plans for a commissioner for military veterans were contained in 2020's New Decade, New Approach agreement.

According to the most recent census in 2021, it is estimated about 40,000 to 60,000 armed forces veterans live in Northern Ireland.