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Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/01/19/defence-in-the-media-19-january/

Defence in the Media: 19 January

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Of note in Defence news today is further reporting on the Iraq Historical Allegations Team, and coverage on a Royal Navy Police investigation.

IHAT

The Sun reports on its front page the case of an anonymous British soldier who the paper suggests is being probed for killing an Iraqi who was about to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at a UK base, because he did not shout a warning. The details in the article were not sufficient for the IHAT to be able to confirm whether such an investigation exists, and the newspaper states that they could not independently verify the account of the soldier.

The story states that IHAT "has seen its caseload grow tenfold". Last week we blogged on the IHAT and confirmed that it is currently dealing with more than 1500 allegations relating to operations in Iraq. We also reiterated the MOD’s position, that we are determined to ensure our Armed Forces overseas are not subject to persistent legal claims that undermine their ability to do their job - and work is underway across Government that is designed to achieve this.

Separately, The Sun also reports that the mums of four soldiers killed while serving in the Armed Forces have demanded the Prime Minister ends the legal "witch-hunts" against British veterans. The article reports that they have sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, in which they call the law firms' hounding of veterans "immoral".

Royal Navy investigation

The Times carries a story that the Royal Navy Police has begun an investigation into allegations Royal Marines 'beasted' recruits at HMNB Clyde at Faslane. The paper writes that Royal Marines guarding Britain’s ­nuclear submarine base in Scotland have allegedly subjected up to 12 young recruits to illegal initiation ceremonies. The Royal Navy's position on this is carried in the article, and can be seen in full below.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said:

Members of the naval service are assisting Royal Navy police with an investigation. We do not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying and take all allegations very seriously. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Image of the Day

HMS Protector, which is currently deployed in the Antarctic Ocean carrying out inspections of fishing vessels. Crown Copyright
HMS Protector, which is currently deployed in the Antarctic Ocean carrying out inspections of fishing vessels. Crown Copyright

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