Letter calls for jury inquests into all military deaths
and the whole country need action, not empty words. “Bullying and harassment are an open, dirty secret in the Forces while defence officials are too busy sweeping uncomfortable truths under the carpet in order to bolster a good PR image to try to recruit and retain people.” Six soldiers have been arrested by military police over allegations of a sexual assault on the female soldier. It was reported that she woke to find the soldiers, members of a sports club who had been drinking, in her room. She is understood to have been offered full support and counselling. The men have been released while inquiries continue.
The arrests prompted Williamson to launch a review into bullying and harassment across the Armed Forces.
In their letter, Susan and Charles also told the Defence Secretary: “We want all military deaths subject to an inquest with a jury.
“At the moment, a jury is something you can request but in most cases it’s denied. We want a fairer system where a jury is an automatic given unless the families decide they want to waive that right.
“The Armed Forces can no longer hide behind a curtain of ‘operational security’ and ‘personnel security’ when looking at how lives are lost and families are being ripped apart.”
Last week, an investigation was launched after a video emerged of a photo of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn being used as target practice by soldiers, thought to be based in Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
An MoD spokeswoman said yesterday: “Bullying and harassment have no place in the Armed Forces and will not be tolerated.
“All allegations are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.”