MoD tells its forces to stop using negative phrases like crippled by debt or blind drunk
...but climbs down after being quizzed by MoS
THE Armed Forces were issued with guidance telling service personnel not to say ‘crippled with debt’ or ‘blind drunk’ to avoid giving offence.
Despite criticism that it was ‘woke nonsense’, the Ministry of Defence insisted its Inclusive Language Guide 2021 was a ‘practical toolkit’ to help personnel understand why ‘certain words or use of language is hurtful or non-inclusive’.
But after concerns were raised by The Mail on Sunday, it emerged that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was withdrawing the 30-page document.
MoD sources confirmed last night that the guidance – which advised that ‘not all women are biologically female’ – was being revised.
A senior insider said Mr Wallace was ‘unhappy’ with it and it was being taken down from the MoD website. But the source insisted a new version would be published because ‘criticism over the conduct and attitudes across the Armed Forces’ showed it was needed.
However, Tory MP Peter Bone, who had urged Mr Wallace to put it
‘This document should be put in the shredder’
‘in the shredder’, demanded to know why the MoD had produced it in the first place.
The guide, produced by the MoD’s Diversity and Inclusion Directorate, denies being ‘an attempt to police language’ or ‘restrict your personal style of communication’ but was created to help staff ‘speak more powerfully, precisely and respectfully’.
However, some recommendations caused fury, including advice to soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel to avoid ‘deaf to our pleas’ in case it offended the disabled.
The section ‘Woman or female’ states those words ‘mean different things but are often used interchangeably’, adding: ‘Referring to women as females is perceived by many as reducing a woman to her reproductive parts and abilities.
‘Not all women are biologically female, and the conflation of “female” to “woman” erases gender nonconforming people and members of the trans community.’ SAS veteran James Deegan tweeted that it was ‘woke nonsense’.
The MoD source said the decision to revise the document was taken ‘over the past few weeks’, adding: ‘There is a need for a guide. But the Defence Secretary is unhappy with the current approach and with the lack of consultation and piloting before publication.’
Last night, Mr Bone said he was ‘delighted’ at Mr Wallace’s intervention, but slammed the guidance. The MP said: ‘Everyone should be mindful of the language they use, but for the MoD to produce such a guide is utterly ridiculous.
‘Whatever they say, this is political correctness gone mad and woke nonsense, pure and simple.
‘The average person in the street or on the Clapham omnibus will simply not understand why the MoD has to waste time – and no doubt money – producing this rubbish. We don’t need to tell our brilliant, brave servicemen and women what to say.
‘We should be concentrating on teaching them how to defend themselves in conflict and when they are protecting us. The best thing the Defence Secretary could do with this absurd document is put it through the shredder.’