The investigative duty and ‘historic’ allegations – when is the duty engaged? – UK Police Law Blog

‘In the same week that Dominic Raab unveiled his proposals for a new Bill of Rights, Parliament’s intent when it enacted the existing human rights framework has also been the subject of scrutiny by the Supreme Court. In the matter of an application by Margaret McQuillan for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) (Nos 1, 2 and 3) [2021] UKSC 55, the Court has provided guidance on three key matters: the extent to which the investigative duty under articles 2/3 of the European Convention of Human Rights is engaged in pre-commencement deaths (the ‘Temporal Scope Issue’); when new evidence revives the investigative obligation (the ‘Brecknell Issue’); and how courts assess the independence of investigations (the ‘Independence Issue’).’

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UK Police Law Blog, 20th December 2021

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com

Judge calls for ban on drunken Royal Naval parties after jailing sailor for raping colleague – The Independent

Posted December 17th, 2021 in alcohol abuse, armed forces, imprisonment, judges, news, rape, sexual offences, victims by michael

‘A judge has said there should be a ban placed on parties involving “excessive drinking” in the Royal Navy after a sailor was jailed for raping a female colleague following a party at a hotel. ‘

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The Independent, 16th December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Supreme Court to rule on investigation into ‘hooded men’ case – The Independent

Posted December 15th, 2021 in appeals, armed forces, news, Northern Ireland, Supreme Court, torture by tracey

‘The Supreme Court in London will rule later on whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland is sufficiently independent to carry out an investigation into the case of the “hooded men”.’

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The Independent, 15th December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Navy rape survivor backs civilian court trials for serious offences – BBC News

‘A member of the Royal Navy, whose rape case collapsed in a military court, has backed calls for serious offences committed in the UK to be investigated and tried through civilian courts.’

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BBC News, 6th December 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MoD overhauls rules for investigating sexual offences in armed forces – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2021 in armed forces, courts martial, inquiries, news, sexual offences by sally

‘Complaint of sexual offences in the armed forces will be dealt with outside the chain of command in future – but military police will retain the right to investigate allegations of rape, the Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday.’

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The Guardian, 2nd December 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

HIV diagnosis or preventative treatment no longer barrier to the armed forces – MoD – The Independent

Posted December 1st, 2021 in AIDS, armed forces, government departments, HIV, medicines, news by sally

‘Being HIV positive or taking preventative treatment for the disease will no longer be a barrier for serving in the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence has announced.’

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The Independent, 1st December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Deepcut deaths: army ‘treating victims’ families with contempt’ – The Guardian

‘The sister of Pte Sean Benton, who committed suicide at Deepcut barracks, has accused the British army of treating victims’ families with contempt after it emerged that the military had failed to honour a pledge made at his inquest in 2018.’

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The Guardian, 28th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Soldier suicide in Windsor prompts coroner to issue recommendations – BBC News

‘A soldier’s suicide has prompted a coroner to issue a series of recommendations to the Army to prevent similar deaths in the future.’

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BBC News, 11th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Army boss announces culture audit after defence secretary talks – BBC News

Posted November 9th, 2021 in armed forces, bullying, equality, harassment, news, sex discrimination, women by tracey

‘The head of the British army has announced an independent audit of its culture amid concerns over bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination. Gen Sir Mark Carleton-Smith said the audit will “reinforce the best and weed out the worst”.’

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BBC News, 8th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MoD has settled 417 Iraq war compensation claims this year – The Guardian

‘The Ministry of Defence has quietly settled 417 Iraq compensation claims and paid out several million pounds to resolve accusations that British troops subjected Iraqis to cruel and inhumane treatment, arbitrary detention or assault.’

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The Guardian, 6th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Iraq war: Abuse claims against soldiers close with no prosecutions – BBC News

‘All remaining investigations into allegations of abuse by British soldiers in Iraq have now finished without any prosecutions being brought.’

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BBC News, 20th October 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Female military staff denied justice by inadequate system – MPs – BBC News

‘Women in the armed forces who are victims of bullying, harassment, discrimination and serious sexual assault are being “denied justice” by a “woefully inadequate” military complaints process, MPs have said.’

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BBC News, 26th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Fijian-born soldiers given right to live in UK despite legal battle loss – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2021 in armed forces, colonies, Fiji, government departments, immigration, news, visas by tracey

‘A group of Fijian-born soldiers who sued the government after being classified as illegal immigrants have been granted leave to remain in the UK, despite losing their legal battle against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Home Office.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

British army identifies serious failings over soldier’s death – reports – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2021 in armed forces, bullying, complaints, delay, inquiries, mental health, news, suicide by tracey

‘The British army has identified serious failings in its handling of the death of a soldier whose body lay undiscovered at a base for three weeks, according to reports.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Deepcut: Fifth Army recruit died at barracks – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2021 in armed forces, harassment, inquests, news, suicide by tracey

‘A fifth soldier died at an Army base where four recruits were found dead between 1995 and 2002, it has emerged.’

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BBC News, 11th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2021 c. 14 – Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

2021 c. 11 – Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021

2021 c. 25 – National Security and Investment Act 2021

Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021

2021 c. 17 – Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Peers seek to block limit on UK soldiers’ accountability for war crimes – The Guardian

Posted April 13th, 2021 in armed forces, bills, news, prosecutions, torture, war crimes by sally

‘Peers behind a cross-party amendment to halt plans to restrict prosecutions of torture and war crimes by British soldiers serving abroad are hopeful of inflicting a high-profile defeat on the government in the Lords on Tuesday.’

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The Guardian, 13th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Senior army officer convicted of £48,000 Dorset boarding school fee fraud – The Guardian

Posted March 26th, 2021 in armed forces, courts martial, families, fraud, news, school children by tracey

‘A senior army officer has been found guilty of dishonestly claiming almost £50,000 in allowances to pay for his children’s boarding school fees. Maj Gen Nick Welch, who is believed to be the most senior officer to face court martial since 1815, was convicted of fraud following a four-week trial at Bulford military court in Wiltshire. He is due to be sentenced on Friday.’

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The Guardian, 25th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Women in UK armed forces face ‘hostile environment’ if they report bullying – The Guardian

Posted March 5th, 2021 in armed forces, bullying, complaints, equality, harassment, news, statistics, women by tracey

‘Women who serve in the armed forces find that they face “a hostile environment” when they are victims of bullying or harassment and try to complain, according to candid testimony given to a parliamentary committee on Thursday.’

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The Guardian, 4th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sacked LGBT veterans can reclaim removed medals – BBC News

Posted February 16th, 2021 in armed forces, dismissal, homosexuality, news by sally

‘Ex-military personnel dismissed from the armed forces because of their sexuality can now reclaim lost medals.’

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BBC News, 16th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk