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26
Mar
Staff at Army Foundation College convicted of violent behaviour on 14 occasions
Staff and former staff at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College have been convicted for violent behaviour against recruits on 14 occasions, a government minister has said.
A Parliamentary question from the Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson revealed that the offences happened between 2013 and 2024.
The college, which is based on Penny Pot Lane, provides basic training for 16 and 17-year-old junior recruits.
Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson and MP for Epsom and Ewell, asked the government how many occasions staff at the college had been disciplined for violent behaviour against recruits in each year since 2013 and what the nature was of each incident.
In response, Alistair Carns MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state for veterans and people, said there had been 14 occasions where staff or former staff at the Army Foundation College were convicted of an offence via Court Martial or summary hearing for violent behaviour against recruits.
Mr Carns added:
The 14 occasions consisted of eight Court Martials and six summary hearings. A further breakdown of figures may be disclosive and trigger potential breaches of the Data Protection Act.
The Stray Ferret asked the Ministry of Defence what it was doing to tackle such behaviour at the college.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
Violent behaviour and any kind of bullying, harassment or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. The Army Foundation College Harrogate has robust procedures in place to address any such allegations and will hold perpetrators to account.
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