Today's Defence news includes continued coverage of inaccurate allegations about incidents at Pirbright Barracks, and reporting that references the UK's support to Ethiopian security forces.
Pirbright
There is follow-up coverage, in the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail, of the Sun on Sunday’s story which inaccurately reported that two recruits were ‘forced’ to strip and carry out sex acts on each other at Pirbright Barracks. Contrary to the Sun’s report, this was not an ‘initiation ceremony’ and at no point has any allegation of coercion or a criminal offence been made. Those involved said they were not forced to do anything, however the unit immediately informed the police despite those involved not complaining.
After Surrey Police referred the case to the Royal Military Police, their initial advice was that there was not a criminal case to investigate and the matter was subsequently dealt with through the Army’s disciplinary channels. The Sun’s article claimed Surrey Police are investigating the matter – this is not the case and there is no ongoing police involvement for the reasons outlined above.
The Army’s position is below.
We can confirm an incident did take place and details were referred to the Royal Military Police for an initial investigation. No allegations of coercive or criminal behaviour were made. However this behaviour is unacceptable and administrative action was taken against those present, with disciplinary measures taken against one individual.
Ethiopia
The Independent claims in an article that the Foreign Office and MOD are using taxpayers’ money to bolster Ethiopian security forces responsible for the imprisonment of Briton Andargachew Andy Tsege. The paper says an FOI request has shown the UK is spending hundreds of thousands via the Conflict, Security and Stabilisation Fund for a training centre run by the Ethiopian military after Mr Tsege was arrested in Yemen in June 2014.
The Government's full position can be seen below.
The Foreign Secretary again raised Mr Tsege’s case with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, in person on 13 February, making it clear the way he has been treated is unacceptable. We welcome the improvement in access to Mr Tsege, following the British Government’s intervention, but it must be more regular and it must include access to a lawyer.
Separately, we support training courses that are designed to give members of the Ethiopian military an improved range of skills in non-combat areas while they serve on regional peace missions that are vital to UK interests. The Masters programme is targeted at key students from around the region who play a crucial role in improving the management of security in their countries.
Terror threat
The Daily Express follows up on reporting that London is on standby for multiple terror strikes and that Police and Special Forces have been told to prepare for up to 10 simultaneous attacks. The article states that Army regiments outside London are also on standby to help the SAS and Metropolitan Police in the event of a multiple target attack and that EOD teams are on high alert. Last year’s SDSR said the Armed Forces could deploy up to 10,000 troops to support in a Paris-style attack – though it might be a few years before such a big operation could be mounted, the paper claims.
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