The commanding officer of Arbroath’s 45 Commando Group has said civilian police authorities will be ensured complete co-operation in the investigations into a claim of abuse from a young marine at RM Condor.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said that any inappropriate behaviour goes “directly against” the fundamental principals of the brotherhood among Royal Marines.
The Ministry of Defence police, which is a dedicated civilian unit, confirmed it is investigating a claim of physical abuse in relation to a 20-year-old marine at RM Condor.
A spokesperson said the investigation was at an early stage and stressed that no arrests had been made.
The investigation follows a report by the man to police officers in Arbroath that he was seriously assaulted by colleagues while at the home of 45 Commando on the outskirts of Arbroath.
Lieutenant Colonel Lee said he operates a “zero-tolerance” policy on unacceptable behaviour at Condor or anywhere else where Royal Marines operate, whether it be on base, training throughout the world or in theatre.
He said, “I am aware that a marine from 45 Commando made a complaint to Tayside Police last week.
“The alleged incident is now under investigation by the MoD police, and together we are determined to get to the bottom of it.
“I have an absolute zero-tolerance policy to indiscipline or unacceptable behaviour in 45 Commando.Common decency”My policy here is crystal clear and common decency is one of the cornerstones of our values within the Royal Marines.”
Lt Col Lee added, “Indiscipline or unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour is wholly at odds with the service and simply cannot be tolerated.”
It is understood that the young marine has claimed that he was forced to eat human excrement and drink urine before being beaten about the body with footwear by others who had concealed their identities.
A spokesperson for Tayside Police confirmed that a 20-year-old man attended at Arbroath Police Station last Wednesday and made a complaint, which was subsequently referred to the MoD Police.
A former Royal Marine said that, without wishing to play down any claims made by any particular individual, some forms of “initiation ceremony” are commonplace throughout the armed forces, or at least had been while he was serving.Horseplay”Quite often it is little more that the sort of joshing and horseplay you might expect when you get a bunch of young lads together,” he said.
“Tests of physical and mental strength and the ability to endure are part and parcel of the armed forces, especially when you are talking about front-line fighting units such as marine commandos and paratroopers.
“Sometimes an individual might be picked out to see how they respond and if they rise to the challenge and it becomes part of a bonding process.
“Remember, these are also guys who are laying down their lives for each other in Afghanistan at the moment.
“But if it goes beyond the norm and an individual is being systematically bullied for some reason, then that is not acceptable and I’ve no doubt that the matter will be dealt with appropriately.”
Lt Col Lee said camaraderie between colleagues is an accepted and indeed vital part of service life but not when boundaries are crossed.
“Marines will always have fun with each other but when that steps across the line of common decency it becomes a different thing entirely,” he said.