Gemma Doyle MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, commenting on the Government’s reform of the Service Complaints System, said:

“It is exactly one year since Labour first called for the introduction of an Armed Forces Ombudsman, so we welcome the fact that the Government has come around to our way of thinking.

“An Armed Forces Ombudsman would provide those service personnel raising a grievance against the military justice system with a means to review the chain of command’s decision independently. As the recent inquest into the tragic death of Cpl Anne-Marie Ellement has shown, such a safeguard could be vital.

“Labour is determined that all members of the Armed Forces—who serve this country which such professionalism and distinction—are safe from bullying, harassment and other inappropriate or illegal behaviour. We have consistently maintained that the introduction of a more powerful Ombudsman would help achieve this.”

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