Army chief blasts senior officers 'complicit' in allowing harassment of serving women

The head of the British Army has apparently penned a letter to senior officers insinuating they are complicit in the "appalling and shameful" alleged abuse suffered by women in the service.

General Sir Roly Walker said in the letter, which The Times and the Mail are said to have seen, with a supposed copy being shared widely online, that it "was just not good enough" that the behaviour reported does not match up with Army values.

In the letter which appears to have been sent out by the Army chief, he said this "is even worse if the Chain of Command is not doing enough or is actively complicit in this".

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It comes following the tragic death of Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, who was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021.

An inquiry heard how Gunner Beck had previously been sent thousands of messages from her supervisor and was allegedly pinned down by a senior NCO who tried to kiss her.

At the time, reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault and abuse flooded in on the Facebook page of Fill Your Boots, which commended those who came forward for their bravery and apologised that it could not post all of the stories sent in.

Many of those reporting the abuse asked to remain anonymous, with some still serving in the military,

Addressing these reports, General Sir Roly said he hoped those in the chain of command were "disgusted by what is being written".

He said every member of the British Army deserved to feel "safe and supported", telling them to "step up and play [their] part as a leader, visibly and confidently, to stop this".

In the supposed letter, of which the majority is typed, in his own writing he tells the senior officers he is "counting on them" and does not want to write to them again about this matter.

In response, an MOD spokesperson said "unacceptable sexual behaviour has absolutely no place in the Armed Forces and will not be tolerated".

"Any behaviour that falls short of our standards will result in the most severe consequences including, where appropriate, criminal charges and dismissal," they said.

"Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck's family and friends at this difficult time."

The assistant coroner has retired to consider his conclusion following the inquest into the death of the Royal Artillery soldier.

Earlier this week, a senior Army officer apologised for how the teenage soldier was treated, telling the inquest into her death that the service "let her down in so many ways".