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Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/08/14/defence-in-the-media-14-august-2016/

Defence in the Media: 14 August 2016

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Of note for Defence news today is reporting about a new training scheme at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and claims about British Special Forces.

Sandhurst

The Sun carries an article which looks at a new scheme at Sandhurst which could see the military academy train more 'working class' Army officers. The paper reports that almost 500 plucked from the ranks have already graduated under the scheme, and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in the article says the Army’s new policy should be saluted.

Special Forces 

The Sunday Express claims British Special Forces have scored a major intelligence coup after capturing a senior Daesh commander, who is believed to be on a list of high value targets. Separately, the Daily Star Sunday reports that SAS troops have killed at least 30 Daesh fanatics by attacking a convoy in Syria.

It is the MOD's longstanding policy not to comment on Special Forces.

IHAT 

An article in The Sun reports that around 500 bogus murder and assault claims about UK troops have been thrown out by investigators probing alleged abuse in Iraq. It means almost half that 3,367 allegations of potential criminal behaviour made by lawyers will not now be purposed, the paper says.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

We welcome the very real progress being made by IHAT in screening out bogus claims.We continue to look at ways to ensure that our forces are not distracted by persistent and unfounded claims which undermine their ability to do their job.

Daesh leader

There is continued reporting, including by Scotland on Sunday and The People, that Daesh leader Hafiz Saeed Kahn was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan last month.

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