Forces back in firing line over brutal ‘initiations’
DEFENCE chiefs were criticised by lawyers and families of bullying victims yesterday for failing to crack down on abusive initiation ceremonies.
Former military chiefs also called for reforms as a video emerged showing members of the RAF sexually abusing a new recruit using a 28lb mortar tube.
“Hazing” rituals are banned by the armed forces but still occur unofficially to help “bonding”, defence sources say.
Geoff Gray, 57, whose son Geoff died at Deepcut barracks 20 years ago, said: “It is sickening this sort of bullying still happens.”
Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander in Afghanistan, said: “The negative effects of this are likely to be felt beyond the RAF and will impact on the entire armed forces.”
Human rights barrister Simon McKay added: “The armed forces need to do more than pay lip service to issues of this kind.”
Last July Defence Secretary Ben Wallace set up an anti-bullying helpline for troops, saying: “I am determined to stamp this out.”
The video is now part of a criminal probe by the RAF Police, and the RAF said it was “inappropriate to comment further”.
EX-US President Donald Trump has revealed that his daughter-in-law Lara is to run for the Senate.
He made the announcement during a surprise appearance at a dogrescue fundraising event which Lara, wife of his son Eric, helped to organise near his Florida home.
Trump told a cheering crowd at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Mar A Lago on Friday: “I didn’t exactly prepare for this but I was walking by and I heard everyone screaming.
“I want to thank Lara, who’s been so incredible. I hear she’s going to run for the Senate.”
Lara, 38, is rumoured to be considering a run for a North Carolina Senate seat which is due to be vacated by Republican Richard Burr next year.