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Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement inquest: MOD denies 'cover-up' Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement inquest: MOD denies 'cover-up'
(35 minutes later)
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today denied a “cover-up” after an inquest was adjourned into the death of Royal Military Police officer found hanging in her barracks after she accused two soldiers of rape.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today denied a “cover-up” after an inquest was adjourned into the death of Royal Military Police officer found hanging in her barracks after she accused two soldiers of rape.
Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, 30, was found dead at Bulford Barracks near Salisbury in Wiltshire on 9 October, 2011.Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, 30, was found dead at Bulford Barracks near Salisbury in Wiltshire on 9 October, 2011.
She alleged she had been raped by two soldiers in November 2009, while she was posted in Germany but had been left “absolutely devastated” by the decision taken by military investigators not to prosecute them, an inquest in Salisbury heard.She alleged she had been raped by two soldiers in November 2009, while she was posted in Germany but had been left “absolutely devastated” by the decision taken by military investigators not to prosecute them, an inquest in Salisbury heard.
Nicholas Rheinberg, deputy coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire, was expected to deliver his conclusion into Corporal Ellement's death today following the three-week inquest.Nicholas Rheinberg, deputy coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire, was expected to deliver his conclusion into Corporal Ellement's death today following the three-week inquest.
But the hearing was adjourned after the court heard an inventory listing items including three mobile phones and a pink diary found in Corporal Ellement's room had been discovered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).But the hearing was adjourned after the court heard an inventory listing items including three mobile phones and a pink diary found in Corporal Ellement's room had been discovered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
However the items have not been found and it is thought they may have been handed to Corporal Ellement's father, who has not been located, the inquest heard.However the items have not been found and it is thought they may have been handed to Corporal Ellement's father, who has not been located, the inquest heard.
More than 1,400 files, including 29 which were deemed relevant to the inquest by the MoD, would now be disclosed to Corporal Ellement's family for the first time, the inquest heard.More than 1,400 files, including 29 which were deemed relevant to the inquest by the MoD, would now be disclosed to Corporal Ellement's family for the first time, the inquest heard.
Kirsten Heaven, who represents Corporal Ellement's two sisters, told the inquest: "The family are devastated and upset this disclosure has come so late in the day."Kirsten Heaven, who represents Corporal Ellement's two sisters, told the inquest: "The family are devastated and upset this disclosure has come so late in the day."
Nicholas Moss, representing the MoD, said there was "no evidence of a cover-up".Nicholas Moss, representing the MoD, said there was "no evidence of a cover-up".
“The MoD has gone to exceptional lengths to seek to provide as fullest disclosure as possible,” he said.“The MoD has gone to exceptional lengths to seek to provide as fullest disclosure as possible,” he said.
The undisclosed items had been found by the army's legal team in the last few days, the hearing was told.The undisclosed items had been found by the army's legal team in the last few days, the hearing was told.
Adjourning proceedings until Monday morning, the coroner said there was a “danger” in pursuing information which was “unrealistic to find” and which may be of little relevance to the inquest.Adjourning proceedings until Monday morning, the coroner said there was a “danger” in pursuing information which was “unrealistic to find” and which may be of little relevance to the inquest.
“I suggest all urgency is given to track down any missing documents,” Mr Rheinberg said.“I suggest all urgency is given to track down any missing documents,” Mr Rheinberg said.
“I'm going to grant the application (for adjournment) on strict and immediate terms.”“I'm going to grant the application (for adjournment) on strict and immediate terms.”
A previous inquest in March 2012 recorded a conclusion that Cpl Ellement, originally from Bournemouth in Dorset, took her own life.A previous inquest in March 2012 recorded a conclusion that Cpl Ellement, originally from Bournemouth in Dorset, took her own life.
But last August, the High Court ordered a fresh hearing, which began in Salisbury on 3 February.But last August, the High Court ordered a fresh hearing, which began in Salisbury on 3 February.
During the inquest, Corporal Ellement's family claimed she had felt bullied by colleagues and without support in the Army.During the inquest, Corporal Ellement's family claimed she had felt bullied by colleagues and without support in the Army.
Her sister, Sharon Hardy, 44, a married mother-of-four from Christchurch, Dorset, told the inquest: “When she died, my immediate thoughts were the Army, the rape, the bullying and the overwork.”Her sister, Sharon Hardy, 44, a married mother-of-four from Christchurch, Dorset, told the inquest: “When she died, my immediate thoughts were the Army, the rape, the bullying and the overwork.”
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