Tortured and abused by RAF for being gay
Judge to hear chef’s interrogation hell
transferred to a civilian hospital for his glandular fever but was arrested on his return to base.
He was told asking for the test was an admission he was gay, a criminal offence in the Forces until 2000. The discriminatory rule was why ex-soldier Dame Kelly Holmes kept her sexuality a secret for more than 30 years – as she revealed to the Sunday Mirror when coming out as gay last week.
Simon endured “the most horrendous and awful experience”. He said: “I was led to an interrogation room and denied food, sleep and only given small amounts of water for four days.”
At each shift change every four hours he had violent internal examinations on the pretext of looking for drugs.
He said: “The more they did it the more I bled. I was taken, handcuffed, to my billet and the SIB searched all my belongings and personal letters.
“My mattress was slit open and mail taken away. They said I was most likely being blackmailed to reveal defence secrets. I said I was a chef. I had no access to secrets unless someone wanted my lasagne recipe. More internal searches followed and
I’m sure this was purely for their sadistic satisfaction. I was
Treated like a terrorist by sadistic animals who spat at me, hit me FORMER AIRMAN SIMON ON HIS ORDEAL IN THE RAF
treated like a terrorist. I had been spat at, hit, examined by people no better than animals, all because I admitted I was gay.”
Simon agreed to a dishonourable discharge to avoid 18 months in jail. As he left RAF Brawdy the warrant officer ripped the senior aircraftman rank badges off his uniform and told him he was a disgrace to the RAF.
He became a publican, but has suffered flashbacks ever since. Now Simon wants £320,000 in pension payments he would have got had he served the full 22 years he signed up for – and an apology.
He had to give up his pub in 2018 because of dying nerve ends and degenerative spinal disease. He now has prostate cancer.
His MP, Labour’s Clive Efford, said: “It was torture for being gay. He was suicidal. Others went on to take their own lives.”
Labour equalities boss Anneliese Dodds said: “I pay tribute to the Sunday Mirror for its tireless campaign.”
Caroline Paige, co-CEO of the FWP, said: “We will do everything to ensure LGBT+ veterans’ voices are heard.” Women’s Royal Army Corps veteran Sharon Hudson said: “Being dismissed for my sexuality affected my mental health. I lied to my family for 40 years because of the shame I felt.”
Lord Etherton said: “This review will provide an opportunity for veterans to share their testimonies in a safe environment.”
And Veterans Minister Leo Docherty said: “The historic ban was wrong and we acknowledge that.”