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| Royal Military Police apologise to family of corporal who killed herself | Royal Military Police apologise to family of corporal who killed herself |
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| The Royal Military Police (RMP) have apologised for failings in the way they investigated the case of a female corporal who killed herself after alleging she had been raped. | The Royal Military Police (RMP) have apologised for failings in the way they investigated the case of a female corporal who killed herself after alleging she had been raped. |
| Anne-Marie Ellement was found dead two years after claiming she had been sexually assaulted at a barracks in Germany. | Anne-Marie Ellement was found dead two years after claiming she had been sexually assaulted at a barracks in Germany. |
| Two former colleagues of the 30-year-old were finally put on trial for rape at a court martial in April – more than six years after the incident – and the RMP conceded on Wednesday that mistakes had been made and apologised to the woman’s family. | Two former colleagues of the 30-year-old were finally put on trial for rape at a court martial in April – more than six years after the incident – and the RMP conceded on Wednesday that mistakes had been made and apologised to the woman’s family. |
| In a statement it said: “The Royal Military Police takes any allegation of rape very seriously. However, it is now clear that mistakes were made in the original investigation, including in relation to decision making. As a result, aspects of the original investigation were unsatisfactory. | In a statement it said: “The Royal Military Police takes any allegation of rape very seriously. However, it is now clear that mistakes were made in the original investigation, including in relation to decision making. As a result, aspects of the original investigation were unsatisfactory. |
| “Any instance where this happens is unacceptable and it is vital that we learn the lessons of these events. The Royal Military Police has done so. | “Any instance where this happens is unacceptable and it is vital that we learn the lessons of these events. The Royal Military Police has done so. |
| “Anne-Marie deserved better and for that the Royal Military Police apologises unreservedly to her family for those failings. In apologising to her family, the Royal Military Police and the wider army pay tribute to them for the courage and determination that they have shown on behalf of Anne-Marie.” | “Anne-Marie deserved better and for that the Royal Military Police apologises unreservedly to her family for those failings. In apologising to her family, the Royal Military Police and the wider army pay tribute to them for the courage and determination that they have shown on behalf of Anne-Marie.” |
| Ellement’s allegation was initially investigated by the RMP’s special investigation branch and in December 2009, two men were referred to the independent service prosecuting authority. | Ellement’s allegation was initially investigated by the RMP’s special investigation branch and in December 2009, two men were referred to the independent service prosecuting authority. |
| However, the prosecutors determined there was no realistic prospect of a conviction and no charges were brought. Ellement took her own life at a barracks in Wiltshire in 2011, shortly after her 30th birthday. A coroner said she had felt betrayed over the lack of action following her complaint. | However, the prosecutors determined there was no realistic prospect of a conviction and no charges were brought. Ellement took her own life at a barracks in Wiltshire in 2011, shortly after her 30th birthday. A coroner said she had felt betrayed over the lack of action following her complaint. |
| The RMP investigation was reviewed three times and in 2013, after pressure from her family who had threatened to take legal action under the Human Rights Act, it was reopened by the RAF police, assisted by civilian officers from Bedfordshire police. | The RMP investigation was reviewed three times and in 2013, after pressure from her family who had threatened to take legal action under the Human Rights Act, it was reopened by the RAF police, assisted by civilian officers from Bedfordshire police. |
| Andrew Cayley, the director of service prosecutions, concluded that the decision not to prosecute had been wrong and directed charges against the two former members of the RMP, Jeremy Jones and Thomas Fulton. | Andrew Cayley, the director of service prosecutions, concluded that the decision not to prosecute had been wrong and directed charges against the two former members of the RMP, Jeremy Jones and Thomas Fulton. |
| The pair said Ellement had consented to take part in what was described as a drunken threesome and were acquitted. | The pair said Ellement had consented to take part in what was described as a drunken threesome and were acquitted. |
| However, the judge, Jeff Blackett, a former navy officer, said the pair’s conduct was disgraceful and criticised the culture of drinking and sexual behaviour at the camp. | However, the judge, Jeff Blackett, a former navy officer, said the pair’s conduct was disgraceful and criticised the culture of drinking and sexual behaviour at the camp. |
| Ellement’s sister, Sharon Hardy, said she was pleased the RMP had admitted failings. She said: “Both the coroner at Anne-Marie’s inquest and the judge at her trial made strong criticisms of the conduct of the Royal Military police men and women involved. | Ellement’s sister, Sharon Hardy, said she was pleased the RMP had admitted failings. She said: “Both the coroner at Anne-Marie’s inquest and the judge at her trial made strong criticisms of the conduct of the Royal Military police men and women involved. |
| “I know that the RMP failed my sister and am glad that has finally been admitted. I acknowledge the apology offered today with a heavy heart – but it remains to be seen if they have in fact learnt any lessons.” | “I know that the RMP failed my sister and am glad that has finally been admitted. I acknowledge the apology offered today with a heavy heart – but it remains to be seen if they have in fact learnt any lessons.” |
| Another sister, Khristina Swain, added: “The RMP let Anne-Marie down 100%. Please give her one last bit of respect and don’t fail others. Don’t let victims or families go through what our family went through. Not just the pain and grief – but having to fight just to get to the truth.” | Another sister, Khristina Swain, added: “The RMP let Anne-Marie down 100%. Please give her one last bit of respect and don’t fail others. Don’t let victims or families go through what our family went through. Not just the pain and grief – but having to fight just to get to the truth.” |
| The family was supported by the campaign group Liberty. Its legal director, Emma Norton, argued that the allegations were only aired because the family had threatened to take legal action under article 3 of the Human Rights Act – the right not to suffer inhuman or degrading treatment. | The family was supported by the campaign group Liberty. Its legal director, Emma Norton, argued that the allegations were only aired because the family had threatened to take legal action under article 3 of the Human Rights Act – the right not to suffer inhuman or degrading treatment. |
| She said: “It was only the Human Rights Act that let Anne-Marie’s sisters secure a fresh inquest, exposing the bullying she had suffered and leading to important reforms for crime victims in our armed forces. It was only the act that let them secure a fresh, independent rape investigation.” | She said: “It was only the Human Rights Act that let Anne-Marie’s sisters secure a fresh inquest, exposing the bullying she had suffered and leading to important reforms for crime victims in our armed forces. It was only the act that let them secure a fresh, independent rape investigation.” |
| Liberty is deeply concerned at plans for the military to opt out from the European convention on human rights (ECHR) during future conflicts to see off what the prime minister, Theresa May, described as an “industry of vexatious claims” against soldiers. | Liberty is deeply concerned at plans for the military to opt out from the European convention on human rights (ECHR) during future conflicts to see off what the prime minister, Theresa May, described as an “industry of vexatious claims” against soldiers. |
| Norton said: “It is stories like Anne-Marie’s that show exactly how important the Human Rights Act is for our soldiers and their families – and exactly why the government and Ministry of Defence are so opposed to it. | Norton said: “It is stories like Anne-Marie’s that show exactly how important the Human Rights Act is for our soldiers and their families – and exactly why the government and Ministry of Defence are so opposed to it. |
| “Without it, we wouldn’t be here today – and the MoD would have been able to keep the awful truth of what happened to Anne-Marie firmly behind closed doors.” | “Without it, we wouldn’t be here today – and the MoD would have been able to keep the awful truth of what happened to Anne-Marie firmly behind closed doors.” |
| • In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Helplines in other countries can be found here |