Minister asked to explain the MOD's 'toxic culture' and rise in bullying complaints

There is a "toxic culture" at the Ministry of Defence, with reports of bullying, discrimination and harassment doubling since 2019, Labour has said.

During questions on defence, shadow defence minister Maria Eagle asked: "Given the doubling of reports of bullying, discrimination and harassment in the MOD since 2019 and some cases remaining unresolved for up to three years, what's the minister now doing to address this toxic culture in his own department?

"And why is it that such things seem to be worsening on this Government's watch?"

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Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Minister Dr Andrew Murrison responded, saying: "A lot has been done over the past certainly two or three years, including the setting up of the defence serious crime unit, and the victim and witness care unit.

"They're very important, and the general message has been that we have a zero tolerance approach, and the general message has been come forward and you will be listened to, and you will be taken seriously."

The Royal Naval Reservist went on to say "some of the figures, some of them, I think it's reasonable to assume, are the result of people having that confidence in coming forward, so their complaints are investigated independently, whereas previously that was not the case".

The minister said the My Complaint app had been launched in October, making it easier for personnel to come forward.