Harrogate MP labels army college 'abuse' allegations inquiry as important first step

Harrogate MP Tom Gordon has hailed the inclusion of the town’s Army Foundation College in an independent investigation as an “important first step”.

The probe into ten military training sites in England will be carried out by the Armed Forces Commissioner, Polly Miller-Perkins.

It comes after a BBC investigation in August in which four young women told reporters they had been abused at the college.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting responded by saying he wanted to lead cultural change in the UK military.

"I expect every woman who serves to be treated with respect, with decency," he said.

Mr Gordon described the allegations at the time as "shocking" and called for an independent inquiry into the college's safeguarding practices and internal culture.

Welcoming the news, the MP said the inquiry would be an important first step but called for it to be supported by independent, civilian specialists in sexual violence and trauma.

"This is an important first step,” he said.

“Trust in these institutions has plainly been damaged and it will only be rebuilt through thorough investigation and decisive changes.

“The commissioner should be supported by independent, civilian specialists in sexual violence and trauma, so that potentially vulnerable recruits can give evidence outside the chain of command, safely and confidentially.

"A strong armed forces is one where all its recruits, particularly women, feel safe."

Miller-Perkins, who is carrying out her first investigation in the role, told the BBC the allegations were “absolutely appalling”.

She will visit the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where the youngest recruits in the British Army are trained.

She will also visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where Army officers are trained, and Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, the Royal Navy’s officer training base.

But Mr Gordon wants the scope of the inquiry to be wide enough to fully address the allegations of abuse.

He said: “My colleagues and I are writing to the Defence Secretary for reassurances that the investigation will be wide enough in scope to tackle cultures of sexual violence, harassment and misogyny that go beyond single institutions, as well as properly funded and laid before Parliament in good time.

“We are also continuing our campaign for serious cases of rape and sexual assault to be handled in the civilian justice system instead of the existing internal justice system.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is a newly-created role to provide independent oversight of the service complaints system.

Miller-Perkins told the BBC she would aim to identify any systemic issues and make recommendations to the government to "ensure the welfare and safety of all personnel".

She plans to visit each of the ten establishments in November and will speak to families, staff and recruits.

The aim is to establish some early findings in the New Year.

The Ministry of Defence said it welcomed independent scrutiny.

A spokesperson said: "We are committed to ensuring everyone beginning their military career receives the highest standards of training, welfare and support in a safe and professional environment.

"Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has no place in the military, and it encourages anyone who has experienced such conduct to come forward."