Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Royal Marine rookies axed over ‘porn video’ posting
FOUR Royal Marine recruits have been kicked out for making a porn video at their base.
The five minutes of footage posted on social media shows the rookies, in their 20s, carrying out sex acts while boasting they will “sort out the girls in Exeter”.
Military police were tipped off and reported them to senior officers.
The recruits had almost completed the 32-week Commando course.
The video was filmed days before Prince Harry, who is Captain General of the Marines, visited the base – the Commando Training Centre, near Lympstone in Devon.
A military source said the footage was “disgusting” and added: “These days the Marines will not accept any such behaviour. If recruits get involved in fights or anything that brings the corps into disrepute they are out.”
The insider added: “There has been a major change in the past 20 years.
“At one time the papers were full of Marines fighting and getting into trouble. But these days you never hear anything about them. They are more professional.”
The head of the Royal Marines, Major General Charlie Stickland, is said to have been furious about the video. It shows the trainees performing sex acts in their Commando base accommodation. Military sources said the rookies had edited the film to include risque scenes from outrageous 2012 comedy movie Ted, starring Mark Wahlberg.
The recruits were dismissed after appearing before commanding officer Colonel Mike Tanner, who has cracked down on behaviour that might harm the reputation of the elite outfit.
The Royal Navy said: “Behaviour and lack of judgement such as this is not compatible with the standards and values of the Royal Marines. It added: “The Naval Service has acted swiftly and taken the appropriate action.”
The training centre was rocked by a series of bullying incidents over 20 years ago. The Marines provide a large percentage of British Special Forces.