A British paratrooper regiment of around 300 soldiers was scheduled to take part in an exercise in Bosnia and Kosovo in September. Now the army chief and general Sir Patrick Sanders have decided to hold back the soldiers.
The reason is a sex video that has been spread online. In the video, several male soldiers associated with the 3rd Paratrooper Battalion, locally known as Para 3, participate in an orgy with one female civilian.
The Times mentioned the case already on June 7, after several clips of the incident were published online, and according to BBC The footage was allegedly filmed at a barracks in Colchester, Essex.
Gave consent
In a letter The Telegraph has gained insight into, writes Sir Sanders that the women who were involved in the orgy had given consent.
British military police state that this is not a crime.
Defense stops raging
The video is met with harsh criticism from the British Defense Staff, who say they “are not willing to put the NATO mission at risk or risk weakening the reputation of the British Army by sending Para 3 at this time”.
The newly-appointed commander of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said he had “temporarily lost confidence” in the battalion.
Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, commander of the parachute regiment, has also taken a hard line against his own department after the incident.
“They will reflect on this, and where necessary, they will adjust behavior and culture that undermines the reputation and operational efficiency of an exceptional battalion,” Harrison said.
– SHAME: Britain’s Secretary of Defense James Heappey has described the video as “shameful”. Photo: Brian Inganga / AP Photo
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– Embarrassed and angry
Secretary of Defense James Heappey has described the video as “shameful”, pointing out that he is both “embarrassed and angry” after the incident, according to BBC.
– I’m familiar with the clip and it’s shameful. That people say it was given consent does not matter, Heappey told the radio channel ITV’s Peston.
– We want the nation’s best and best to serve in our defense, and we want women who serve in the defense to know that they serve in an environment where they are pressured, and where they are respected, he continued.
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