Bob Ainsworth under pressure after ‘deserter’ is allowed to lead anti-war rally
Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, is under pressure to explain why he allowed a soldier who faces a court martial on charges of desertion to lead a demonstration against the war in Afghanistan.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
Published at http://www.telegraph.co.uk on 28 Oct 2009
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton spoke at the rally in London last weekend. He denounced the conflict as morally and legally wrong.
Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said he was “astonished” that the Ministry of Defence had allowed the former soldier to speak. He said the episode compromised “military discipline” and did nothing to protect morale for serving soldiers.
L/Cpl Glenton, who faces a court martial after refusing to fight in Afghanistan, is still a serving solider while awaiting disciplinary proceedings. He plans to deny the charges of desertion because he claims the conflict is illegal.
Last night the Ministry of Defence sources said as far as they were aware he had not asked for permission to speak at the demonstration. Soldiers are allowed to join political parties, but not break rules about bringing the service into disrepute.
At the rally L/Cpl Glenton told the crowd of 10,000 in Hyde Park: “I expected that the need to defend this country’s interests would be legal and justifiable. It’s now apparent that the conflict is neither of these and that’s why I must make this stand.
“The occupation in Afghanistan is at best dubious in terms of legality and morality.”
Mr Fox wants to know exactly what the MoD knew of the 27-year-old’s plans to appear.
Continued at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6448212/Bob-Ainsworth-under-pressure-after-deserter-is-allowed-to-lead-anti-war-rally.html
—————–
Michael Waddington is a court martial lawyer – court martial attorney that defends military personnel worldwide as well as deployed civilian contractors subject to the UCMJ. He defends Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and civilian contractor court martial cases. He has successfully defended military personnel as a court martial lawyer Army Navy Marine & Air Force court martials in Germany, England, San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Yokota, and throughout the United States.
Comments on this entry are closed.