SAS chief told soldiers their lives were worth less than terrorists'

Colonel Richard Williams, who led the Special Air Service in Northern Ireland during the peace process that led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, made the comments public during an appearance on The Independent’s podcast SAS: The Shadow War.

He told his men that, at that moment in history, the life of a terrorist carried more weight than their own, due to the potential impact on peace negotiations.

Col Williams said: "In this particular scenario, at this particular moment in history, we as soldiers must recognise the life of a terrorist is, on behalf of our nation, worth more than our lives.

"If one of us die, it isn’t going to bring the peace process down.

"But if one of them die at this particular moment, it could do."

He argued that the nature of military service requires soldiers to accept that their survival is not always the priority, and that their lives can be viewed as a resource of the state in pursuit of political objectives.

Col Williams said: "You signed up for this. The unlimited liability contract. There is no health and safety, and there are no rights. You are here to die for your country and stop your country dying."

During the peace process, the IRA remained armed and dangerous, and SAS soldiers continued to be deployed against individuals believed to be carrying weapons.

Col Williams said: "The currency of war and combat is death.

"We exchange our lives and our enemies’ – and unfortunately, when it happens, civilian lives – for political outcomes."

He has also criticised the Government’s decision to repeal the Legacy Act and replace it with the Northern Ireland Troubles Act.

Col Williams said: "If you expect young men and women to sign up and to serve the state and risk their lives serving the state, then you owe them a duty of care in the long term."