Latest news with #ArmedForcesCommissionerBill
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Death of soldier must act as 'wake-up call'
The death of a teenage soldier must act as a "wake-up call" to improve "unacceptable" behaviour within the armed forces, according to a defence minister. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021 following a work Christmas party. A coroner ruled the Army's failure to take action - after Gunner Beck was harassed by her line manager and sexually assaulted by another colleague - had contributed to her suicide. Labour frontbencher Luke Pollard encouraged MPs to support legislation to introduce a new military welfare watchdog to independently investigate complaints. The nine-day inquest into her death, which began at Salisbury Coroner's Court on 10 February, heard how Gunner Beck had repeatedly tried to establish boundaries with her male colleagues but her efforts were ignored. In the two months leading up to her death, Bombardier Ryan Mason sent the 19-year-old more than 4,600 messages confessing his feelings for her. During a separate incident in July 2021, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber allegedly "pinned her down" at a work social and tried to kiss her. When Gunner Beck reported the unwelcome advance from her superior, the complaint was handled by someone who knew the perpetrator, her mother said. Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled the incident "should have been reported to police and the failure to do so breached Army policy". Under the terms of the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, the independent watchdog would have the power to hear directly from service personnel and family members on the concerns connected with their service. The commissioner would also have the power to demand access to information and service premises to facilitate investigations, and conduct unannounced visits in the UK. Mr Pollard said the legislation would be an opportunity for the defence sector to "properly learn the lessons" following the preventable tragedy. "It really needs to be a wake-up call to recognise that the behaviour within some of our services is unacceptable and we need to make improvements," he said. "It's for that very reason that we need to continue supporting the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill because it enables family members, as well as those people serving in uniform, to raise genuine service welfare complaints with the commissioner. "This won't solve every problem in our armed forces in terms of culture, but it helps support a route for individuals to raise concerns outside the chain of command." Labour Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC he has remained "determined since day one" to protect those who serve. "The Army badly let Jaysley Beck down, and my heart goes out to her family still, after all this time," he said. "We will have zero tolerance as a government, reflected now in the way that the senior military leadership are responding to make sure we can stamp out that sort of behaviour and support those in our ranks. "I really wish, from the bottom of my heart, that we never have another Jaysley Beck case again." The Bill will now return to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ministry of Defence (MOD) Ex-soldier describes Army's 'misogynistic culture' Soldier complained of 'psychotic' boss before her death Soldier's mum says 'no apology will bring her back' Army mishandled sex assault before death - coroner
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Andrew Ranger MP highlights importance of Hightown Barracks to Wrexham
MP for Wrexham In 2027 we will mark 150 years since the establishment of the Hightown Barracks in Wrexham. The symbol of the proud military history of our city. In both World War One and World War Two, the Barracks were the site of regimental basic training before new recruits were deployed. This is particularly poignant as this week marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. On a recent visit to Hightown Barracks, I met with Colonel Nick Lock to explore the work of the Hightown Barracks today. It was saved in 2013 after a huge community effort led by former MP Ian Lucas and local councillors Graham Rogers and Brian Cameron amongst many others, including myself. I was struck by Colonel Lock's description of the pride that Wrexham feels in its connection with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, embodied by the campaign to save the barracks. Colonel Lock and I also discussed the difficulties our armed forces currently face after years of cuts and in the context of a rapidly changing global situation. As a former Air Cadet myself and having met current cadets, serving personnel and veterans, I understand the value of a military career, the skills that are developed but also the challenges that can be faced when that career ends. Earlier this year I was proud to be a member of the bill committee for the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for personnel and their families to raise service issues affecting their lives, from kit, to housing, to childcare. The independent Commissioner will have proper powers to investigate issues affecting service life, make recommendations, and report to Parliament. They will also have access to personnel, information, and to defence sites. And we want them to hold us to account, too. According to the House of Commons Library, there are an estimated 3,450 households in Wrexham who have at least one military veteran. Veteran support is crucial, which is why the UK Government has launched the VALOUR system to ensure easier access to essential care and support. For most service personnel, a career in the Armed Forces sets them up for success and can be a great tool for social mobility. VALOUR aims to help unlock veterans' full potential and foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities. And where Veterans have complex needs, Valour will help ensure the support on offer is data driven and better tailored to their need. VALOUR is backed by £50 million of funding, which will help ensure that every veteran, regardless of where they live, can access joined up support. That funding will establish a new network of VALOUR-recognised support centres in every nation of the UK and deploy Regional Field Officers to connect local, regional and national services – using data to shape better services. As we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe this week, our grateful nation looks forward to joining our brave Armed Forces and veterans to reflect, commemorate and remember. We are deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and the families who support them, for the contribution they make to our country. Theirs is the ultimate public service. These are serious times, with war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, growing Russian aggression and increasing global instability. The lessons of the Second World War where countries and peoples came together to defeat fascism and defend our freedoms must never be forgotten.
Leader Live
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Wrexham MP highlights importance of Hightown Barracks
MP for Wrexham In 2027 we will mark 150 years since the establishment of the Hightown Barracks in Wrexham. The symbol of the proud military history of our city. In both World War One and World War Two, the Barracks were the site of regimental basic training before new recruits were deployed. This is particularly poignant as this week marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. On a recent visit to Hightown Barracks, I met with Colonel Nick Lock to explore the work of the Hightown Barracks today. It was saved in 2013 after a huge community effort led by former MP Ian Lucas and local councillors Graham Rogers and Brian Cameron amongst many others, including myself. I was struck by Colonel Lock's description of the pride that Wrexham feels in its connection with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, embodied by the campaign to save the barracks. Colonel Lock and I also discussed the difficulties our armed forces currently face after years of cuts and in the context of a rapidly changing global situation. As a former Air Cadet myself and having met current cadets, serving personnel and veterans, I understand the value of a military career, the skills that are developed but also the challenges that can be faced when that career ends. Earlier this year I was proud to be a member of the bill committee for the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for personnel and their families to raise service issues affecting their lives, from kit, to housing, to childcare. The independent Commissioner will have proper powers to investigate issues affecting service life, make recommendations, and report to Parliament. They will also have access to personnel, information, and to defence sites. And we want them to hold us to account, too. According to the House of Commons Library, there are an estimated 3,450 households in Wrexham who have at least one military veteran. Veteran support is crucial, which is why the UK Government has launched the VALOUR system to ensure easier access to essential care and support. For most service personnel, a career in the Armed Forces sets them up for success and can be a great tool for social mobility. VALOUR aims to help unlock veterans' full potential and foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities. And where Veterans have complex needs, Valour will help ensure the support on offer is data driven and better tailored to their need. VALOUR is backed by £50 million of funding, which will help ensure that every veteran, regardless of where they live, can access joined up support. That funding will establish a new network of VALOUR-recognised support centres in every nation of the UK and deploy Regional Field Officers to connect local, regional and national services – using data to shape better services. As we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe this week, our grateful nation looks forward to joining our brave Armed Forces and veterans to reflect, commemorate and remember. We are deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and the families who support them, for the contribution they make to our country. Theirs is the ultimate public service. These are serious times, with war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, growing Russian aggression and increasing global instability. The lessons of the Second World War where countries and peoples came together to defeat fascism and defend our freedoms must never be forgotten.
