The Guardian view on accusations against the military: playing politics with personnel | Editorial

The overseas operations bill is a shameful piece of legislation that could harm British troops as well as potential victims

The overseas operations bill is an anodyne name for a nakedly political piece of legislation that a former head of the armed forces has described as dangerous, harmful and a stain on Britain's reputation. It would effectively decriminalise torture if it took place more than five years earlier.

Most people understand that soldiers work under unique pressures. The case of Phil Shiner, the human rights lawyer struck off for misconduct after pursuing false claims of torture and murder in Iraq, created understandable anger about the nightmare that personnel can face when wrongly accused.