Hello everyone, Thank you *so* much for your support to date - it means a huge amount to Tom. As you know, after over three years of appalling treatment, including being bullied out of the career he loved, he has finally been vindicated, but the fight isnt quite over yet. Tom wants to do two things, and he needs *your* help: 1. Ensure that this cant be done to anyone else in the future. To do this requires a fully-independent complaints system, something the MOD has been fighting tooth and nail for decades. 2. Punishment for those in the chain of command responsible for Toms treatment. At the moment, Tom has had an apology, but nothing has happened to those responsible. This sends a terrible message: if you bully and harass soldiers, and cover-up their complaints, the Army chain of command will close ranks and protect you (particularly if youre a Major or Brigadier). Heres where *you* can make a difference, ask them to ask Parliamentary Questions, and to write to the MOD, on the points in order to create a long-term record in Hansard, to force ministers to commit personally and in detail to handling the case properly). Weve prepared a draft email, which includes details of how to find your MPs name and email address. You can find your MPs details here: theyworkforyou/ Bullying in the British Army - the case study of Tom Neathway, the disabled Afghanistan veteran bullied out of the Army by his superiors Dear In 2011, Tom Neathway, a Parachute Regiment Corporal who had lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan, became the target of a persistent course of conduct of abuse and harassment by the Army chain of command. Ultimately he was driven to submit a complaint under the British Armys bullying and harassment procedures. This triggered victimisation by other senior officers in his chain of command, and an escalation which culminated in him being bullied out of the Army. The Army stalled and blocked his complaint for three years, and made numerous attempts to cover it up. Only because Tom was exceptionally determined, and because of support from unusually experienced friends and colleagues, was he able to pursue it. Earlier this year, the Army were forced to allow Tom to have an Oral hearing in to his treatment, and to allow him legal representation. Under cross examination, the behaviour of the Army chain of command was exposed, and the Army had no option but to admit their guilt. Toms case isnt over, though. First, it remains a microcosm of the MODs wider refusal to introduce fully-independent systems which can tackle bullying and harassment by the chain of command itself and second, the perpetrators of Toms treatment have yet to be punished (some have been allowed to resign, others the Army claims to be considering how to deal with). Appropriate and fair punishment of Toms tormentors. The perpetrators of Toms treatment have yet to be punished. One, Regimental Sergeant Major Alistair Hutcheson, has been allowed to retire, unpunished, with full pension, and Three others, Major John Chetty, Major James Chiswell and Brigadier Greville Bibby, are currently the subject of a separate investigatory process (Brig Bibby has recently resigned, Major James Chiswell was suspended from the Neathway investigation process in 2012 for attempting to influence the outcome of an investigation, by victimising witnesses. The Army does not hesitate to sack soldiers and take their pensions for even minor misconduct. At present, I consider that the four individuals most culpable for Tom Neathways immediate treatment, and the abuse and corruption that followed are being protected by the Army. We believe that if soldiers are sacked from the army, for minor offences, then the persistent, deliberate bullying and harassment of a wounded war hero, and attempts to cover it up, and attempts to discredit witnesses reputations with lies, deserve no less. Not for vengeance, but for accountability, to ensure that others, looking on, realise that actions have consequences. Please help us to prevent the next Tom Neathway! Please ask Anna Soubry, publicly in PQs and privately in correspondence, to ensure that Regimental Sergeant Major Alistair Hutcheson, Major John Chetty Major James Chiswell and Brigadier Greville Bibby are publicly investigated, and that their culpability and punishment is announced widely. We believe that only the most severe punishment, including dishonourable discharge and loss of pensions, will send an effective message to stamp out such behavior. Thank you in advance for your assistance - it is times like this that the crucial importance of MPs in the democratic process is demonstrated, and I am grateful for your efforts. Regards,
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:25:13 +0000
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