Disgraced soldiers ‘paid £10,000’ to return to the Army

FORMER soldiers who were expelled from the Army for drugs offences are being paid up to £10,000 to return to service in “specialised roles”, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The payments were offered to former Army troops to “plug a shortage” in the fighting force, according to The Mail on Sunday.

An MOD spokesman confirmed that payments were offered, but only in some cases, to personnel in specialist roles and ranks.

The newspaper reported that Simon Weston, 57, the Falklands war hero, had said he was “truly appalled” by the decision, adding: “It is such a kick in the teeth for long-serving soldiers who have obeyed the rules and resisted temptation to see former colleagues who displayed such a lack of discipline and lack of respect... swanning back into their regiments.”

An Army spokesman said: “We have always welcomed applications from individuals whose circumstances have changed since... their time of leaving the Army. Those reapplying must meet our high standards in order to rejoin the Army and all applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.”