Armed Forces Bill

I do not disagree. Of course, this band of brothers, for want of a better phrase, does need support, but it also needs the integrity of the law that says that it will treat it on an equal basis with the victims of any allegation that might be made against it. The public perception is that in so many of these cases the military are able to be their own judge and jury. The Surrey police report was a lesson that we can allow things to go unchallenged only for so long. It was a rather cosy coincidence that it was put forward so strongly that that all the issues were dealt with properly under the chain of command. It was obvious to the Surrey police that many of the men and women who gave evidence to them felt that they had been manifestly let down by the god of the commanding officer or the ability of the commanding officer to see through a fictitious allegation. Sadly, many of our armed forces men and women felt badly let down in that situation. The Bill will give them greater hope that there will be equality under the law and in the law as regards our armed forces.