Armed Forces Bill

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Lords Chamber

The Centre for Military Justice has on its website a number of case studies which relate to cases that started as stalking and ended up as murder. It is, I am afraid, very present in the service culture. As we know, there have been many other cases that have not necessarily related to stalking but could have done—it may not have been identified. It is important that these rules are sorted out very clearly. These three amendments would provide cover for three different areas. That is why Amendment 21 wants to create a service stalking protection notice that mirrors that in the civilian world. I beg to move.

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

My Lords, I regret that I did not sign the amendments tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton. They have my full support. We have worked together for many years on the issue of stalking, together with the noble Lord who sits in the Chair. I believe that many of the areas in which we worked on stalking in civilian life are pertinent to this Bill because they translate into what is happening in the Armed Forces. Amendment 21 is particularly important. I look forward to hearing the response from my noble friend the Minister, but if the noble Baroness does not think that the response is adequate and wishes to take this forward again on Report, I will certainly be there to support her.

[Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD)]

My Lords, I simply endorse everything my noble friend Lady Brinton has said. I do not think there is anything I need to add.