# Stop hounding Ulster heroes, son of veteran who died while on trial tells minister

> Son of veteran who died on trial urges Labour to stop persecuting troops.
- Title: Stop hounding Ulster heroes, son of veteran who died while on…
- Summary: Son of veteran who died on trial urges Labour to stop persecuting troops. John Hutchings, son of Dennis Hutchings who died while on trial in Northern…
- Keywords: john hutchings, dennis hutchings, northern ireland, labour minister, sir chris bryant, troubles bill, veterans, republicans, history, persecution, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16197875/Stop-hounding-Ulster-heroes-son-veteran-died-trial-tells-minister.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-09T23:52:35+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: john hutchings, dennis hutchings, northern ireland, labour minister, sir chris bryant, troubles bill, veterans, republicans, history, persecution, news, entertainment
## John Hutchings' father died on trial
John Hutchings' father Dennis, 80, faced an attempted murder charge in 2021 despite suffering from kidney disease and heart failure.
## Dennis Hutchings' death triggered veteran uproar
The former Life Guards soldier died in a Belfast hospital midway through his court ordeal five years ago, triggering uproar among veterans.
## John Hutchings joined Labour campaign
John Hutchings joined campaigners at a private meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary this week to appeal for Labour to back veterans.
## Campaigners want tighter restrictions
They pleaded with Sir Chris Bryant to tighten restrictions on cases being brought against veterans to stop republicans attempting to rewrite history.
## Labour's Troubles Bill faces scrutiny
The meeting was held ahead of the return of Labour's Troubles Bill to the House of Commons next week.
## John Hutchings' father's health decline
John Hutchings said: 'I saw my father's health decline but he stayed strong to the last for other veterans.'

> I saw my father's health decline but he stayed strong to the last for other veterans.
## John Hutchings' father's trial situation
He should have spent his last days with his family. Instead he was staying in a Belfast hotel while standing trial.
## John Hutchings' father's case details
This sort of persecution has to stop. The pain is in the process.

> This sort of persecution has to stop. The pain is in the process.
## John Hutchings' father's case history
The same cases are being brought up again and again without compelling evidence that was not previously available.
## John Hutchings' father's case impact
I'm afraid when we met the minister there was an ocean between his position and ours.

> I'm afraid when we met the minister there was an ocean between his position and ours.
## Labour's Troubles Bill veterans
Under Labour's Troubles Bill veterans face fresh criminal investigations and inquests, despite having already been cleared of wrongdoing.
## Soldiers A and C case
Those cases include Soldiers A and C who in May 2021 were formally acquitted of the murder of Official IRA leader Joe McCann in Belfast in April 1972.
## Soldiers A and C case update
Despite their acquittal they learned in 2024 that they face a fresh inquest.
## Northern Ireland Secretary response
Last night Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris said: 'Our commitment to our service personnel and veterans is unshakable.

> Our commitment to our service personnel and veterans is unshakable. That will be clear in our package of amendments to the Troubles Bill, which includes provisions to prevent repeat investigations.
## Key takeaway

John Hutchings, son of Dennis Hutchings who died while on trial in Northern Ireland, told Labour minister Sir Chris Bryant to stop persecuting veterans.