Elite soldiers investigated for racist memes about Sussexes

TROOPS at the special forces base in Hereford are being investigated over racist memes including one of Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle.

The Royal Military Police was called in last week after derogatory pictures and video from a Whatsapp group were leaked.

At least three soldiers belonging to the Army Air Corps are understood to be the focus of the inquiry.

Two pictures and a screengrab from a video were leaked to the Daily Mail. One, a mocked-up photograph from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, had the head of a black man superimposed on to that of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Another doctored image showed a black man’s forearm with the caption “truck drivers’ suntan competition winner”.

No date has been given for how long the Special Investigations Branch, part of the Royal Military Police, will take to conclude its inquiry.

Should misconduct be proved, disciplinary action, including discharge from the Armed Forces, could be taken.

The Army Air Corps at Hereford is responsible for operating many of the helicopters that support Britain’s special forces units.

An MOD spokesman said: “We are aware of offensive comments and images posted by service personnel on a Whatsapp group. These are being investigated by the Army so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”