Top general quits Legion in ‘officers for hire’ row
THE president of the Royal British Legion chief quit yesterday after being caught boasting he could use his position to help arms dealers win lucrative contracts.
Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely fell on his sword after being embroiled in the ‘top brass for hire’ scandal.
The retired officer bragged he could use his role at the charity to help firms lobby ministers and senior figures in the military. The Falklands hero even described annual Remembrance events as a ‘tremendous networking opportunity’.
His remarks were secretly filmed by Sunday Times reporters posing as representatives of a South Korean weapons manufacturer.
Yesterday Sir John admitted he had made ‘exaggerated and foolish claims’. But he insisted he
‘I made foolish claims’
kept his position separate from his business interests and denies breaking lobbying rules.
In the footage Sir John, 64, says he could push the fake firm’s interests with the Prime Minister at the Festival of Remembrance. He also said he could use Remembrance Sunday to lobby the Defence Secretary, adding: ‘You are standing there waiting for the Queen with nothing else to talk about to Philip Hammond than whatever.’
In his resignation letter, Sir John said he had ‘never used any access gained as president to raise the subject of, or discuss, any business interests whatsoever ...
‘But I made exaggerated and foolish claims to the contrary, incompatible with my position.’
Legion director general Chris Simpkins said: ‘The Legion’s work must be kept free of any suggestion they could be used for commercial or political gain. Sir John’s remarks suggested otherwise.’ Mr Hammond has launched a review of rules governing access to ministers.
But he insisted no contracts had been awarded as a result of outside influence.
The others in the sting were Lt Gen Richard Applegate, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, Lord Dannatt, Sir Mike Jackson and Lord Stirrup. All deny any wrongdoing.