Parliament delays release of the Inquiry findings.

The plan had been to send out a special report in line with the release of the Women in Defence inquiry report, expected end of June. That deadline passed and no report emerged. It went silent. It now appears possible that Sarah Atherton MP and her team have a fight on their hands, to persuade defence and MoD not to suppress the findings. Sarah has written a 'taster' of the report HERE.  At the very least, the full report appears to be delayed, to allow the Armed Forces Bill to pass through parliament without the women in defence findings.

Ominously, throughout the last few months, we have watched as each useful amendment to a very weak Armed Forces bill has been voted down. The Commons Defence Select Committee 'got it'. They asked excellent, probing questions of key witnesses. And read tax-payer funded reports such as Wigston and Lyons. They tried to visit service accommodation after complaints, but were denied access. They spoke to the former Service Ombdusman who has reported for the past 5 years that the system is unfair. Yet their findings have been ignored. Amendments which would benefit women & men in defence have been voted down - and on party political lines. We have deliberately been apolitical in our approach, but we are facing a conservative whip, ordering their MPs to vote down reform, particularly they are blocking meaningful service justice, military complaints and independent regulator reforms. What we don't know is why.

What Can you Do?

Our growing team are reaching out through the network - working with parliament, with charities, engaged with universities and approaching key leaders. We are seeking the new date of publication of the Inquiry report and asking that the Armed Forces bill does not complete its passage without considering all evidence. Did we expect delays? Yes. We know the report is damning and that defence would act to suppress it if they could.

What is already happening 

The Independent Defence Authority has written to MPs and an open letter to the media - asking for a defence authority, as recommended by Wigston.

Justice4Troops is building up a file of case studies - to show what damage will be done if reform is not enacted.

COBSEO (confederation of service charities) has written to parliament, asking for strengthening and clarity of covenant reforms.

And the Centre for Military Justice has written asking for all serious criminal investigations, including sexual offences, to move to the civilian system, as recommended by Lyons.

I am sure there are many others who have also expressed their concerns on the lack of amendments as the Bill is forced through.

I have been really impressed by the zeal and commitment shown by Sarah Atherton and her team - to get to the truth. And of course, by over 4000 women who shared their stories with the Inquiry. Their efforts should not be ignored.  

We are asking that anyone who can, write to their MPs, use their social media, share this with others in the defence network - and lobby the Commons Defence Select Committee, to release the Women in Defence inquiry report, delay the Armed Forces Bill until it has been released - and to allow a free vote on the amendments being proposed that will enable meaningful reform.

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