Former military leaders are raising major concerns about the number of troops leaving Britain's elite special forces over Labour's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
General Sir Peter Wall, who led the British Army for four years, says there's "absolutely no doubt" the legal changes are damaging the military.
He's heard reports of an "exodus" from the SAS and SBS.
The soldiers are apparently walking away because they're worried about being dragged into court years from now for missions they carried out under government orders.
Colonel Richard Williams, who commanded 22 SAS during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, isn't surprised by what's happening.
He points out that trust in military leadership has been "devastated" by endless investigations triggered by hearsay.
"It is no wonder that so many experienced SAS men are resigning. Wouldn't you?" he said.
An unprecedented intervention saw nine four-star military chiefs put their names to a joint letter criticising the Prime Minister's plans this week.
The senior officials warned that soldiers' trust in the legal system had fallen apart so badly that it "risks everything". They called the government's proposals a "direct threat to national security".
Former military leaders are raising major concerns about the number of troops leaving Britain's elite special forces over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
| GETTYLATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The letter specifically mentioned that "highly trained members of special forces are already leaving the service".
General Sir Nick Parker, one of those who signed the letter, painted a stark picture on BBC Radio 4.
He asked whether soldiers would hesitate before pressing a drone detonation button in future conflicts.
"Will I be held to account in the future?" Troops might think in that split second, he suggested.
The crisis has become so severe that reservists are being brought into the regular SAS to fill senior roles.
Among those recruited was a part-time captain who'd had his pistol and classified documents stolen during a secret overseas mission.
AS members have been left concerned they be prosecuted at a later date for acts they were ordered to do under the new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
| GETTYThe officer lost a briefcase containing the weapon and important papers when it was taken from his train cabin in an undisclosed country.
Despite facing a court-martial, the SAS asked the judge to show leniency because he'd been shortlisted for an important position.
Former SAS Commanding Officer Richard Williams said the threat of "a lifetime of investigations" was reducing officer volunteers.
He questioned why the "bravest and brightest" would sign up for "assured persecution" while doing dangerous work for their country.
Labour's replacement for the Legacy Act has opened the door for inquests into nine incidents involving the SAS and security forces.
Around 100 SAS veterans from Northern Ireland, including officers, now face lengthy investigations and potential criminal charges.
The Legacy Act, brought in during 2023, provided partial immunity from prosecution for soldiers involved in Northern Ireland and other conflict areas.
Special forces personnel are also facing possible criminal inquiries over allegations of extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan, which are currently being examined by a public inquiry.
Last year, retiring Army chief General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith said serving troops no longer believed their chain of command could protect them from "a lifetime of hounding".
He described this as a "corrosive and toxic mix" that was damaging morale and military effectiveness.
The Ministry of Defence maintains that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill delivers on promises to protect veterans who served with honour.
A government spokesman insisted proper protections were being put in place.
But Conservative MPs aren't buying it. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, former soldier Stuart Anderson challenged Sir Keir Starmer, calling lawfare "a threat to national security" and demanding the PM start "standing up for veterans".
Johnny Mercer, the former Conservative veterans minister, said he was pleased senior military officials were finally going public with concerns they'd shared privately for years.
He accused the government of "steadily destroying" the moral case for military service.
Former SAS reservist David Davis was expected to lead a Commons debate on lawfare issues, keeping pressure on the government over the treatment of veterans.