§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official complaints as to the behaviour of British service personnel stationed in Cyprus have been reported to the Ministry of Defence in London since 1 January 1996; and if he will make a statement. [27622]
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department has received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public condemning the actions of the three soldiers convicted of the manslaughter of Louise Jensen. While many of them have also included general criticism of the behaviour of some UK military personnel, I am not aware of any separate complaints relating to specific incidents involving service personnel in Cyprus since 1 January 1996.
We will not tolerate behaviour that brings the Armed Forces into disrepute. The vast majority of service personnel based in Cyprus are very well behaved.