Today’s defence-related news includes the announcement that £20 million of funding from banking fines will go towards the new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre. The Red Arrows have also met their Indian counterparts during a visit to Hyderabad, India as part of a global tour.
Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre Funding
Ahead of this week’s Autumn Statement, the Sun on Sunday has reported that £20 million of funding from banking fines will go towards the new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre.
Initiation Ceremony
The Sun on Sunday has reported that a former soldier is taking legal action against the MOD after an initiation ceremony damaged his eye sight.
An Army Spokesperson said:
Initiation ceremonies are a form of bullying and are a breach of the Army’s Values and Standards. Anyone found to have fallen short of these standards will be dealt with appropriately up to and including dismissal from the Army.
Queen’s Guards Shortages
The Sunday Express reports there is shortage in the Queen’s elite Foot Guards, drawing on figures released under an FOI.
An Army spokesperson said:
The Infantry, including the Division of Foot Guards is sufficiently manned to deliver its operational and ceremonial requirements.
IHAT
The Sunday Telegraph reports that a former Army intelligence officer who threatened to expose an Iraqi insurgent as a paedophile is at the centre of an IHAT investigation into child sex offences.
An IHAT spokesperson said:
We have interviewed several people in an investigation into activities in Iraq in 2006. As it is an active investigation it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.
EU Army
The Sunday Express reports that the UK will help finance the European Defence Research Programme through its contributions to the EU Commission’s budget, despite UK opposition to an EU Army.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
It is not true to suggest the UK will be providing any additional funding to support this, nor is it true to imply that it is connected to EU army proposals.
HMS Illustrious
The Sunday Times and The Sun on Sunday report that a proposal to save Illustrious from being recycled was received and rejected.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
The competition to find a suitable buyer for Illustrious ran for two years, and sadly no viable bids were received. This proposal was made three months after the contract was awarded to recycle the ship.
To cancel the sale agreement at this late stage would be very expensive for the UK taxpayer. We are now looking to the future of the Royal Navy with the arrival of the new Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier due in Spring 2017.
