Friday 12 November 2010
British colonel keeps rank despite being branded 'unreliable witness'
Summary:
Colonel Dudley Giles is a very important witness in a military police investigation that dismissed the claim that British soldiers crippled and killed 20 unarmed Iraqi civilians during a gunfight that now is known as the Battle of Danny Boy. Giles lied in court about this case. He also emailed his staff to ask them to change their witness statement. He wanted them to leave out the fact that they were overworked and that they asked for support from other military police investigators. Gail’s is now described as an unreliable witness.
Despite the fact that he lied and is an unreliable witness he still keeps his position as Deputy Provost Marshal, second in command of the Royal Military Police, within the military police.
Reaction:
Colonel Dudley Giles should have been discharged from his post as Deputy Provost Marshal. He is unreliable as leader because he ignores important details and lies during an investigation. It is also very scary that his staff listens to him, when he asks them to change their witness statement.
The MoD states that although Giles keeps his post, he will not be responsible for investigations any more. I do not think this is enough. Giles still has a high position within the Royal Military Police and, therefore, is still in a position to influence the investigation and the people involved.
Hi Maria,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhat exactly is your statement?
It's plain ridiculous that he gets to keep his rank, even though he admits he lied and abused his position.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenStill, it's not all too weird that his people listen to him. After all, they're trained to listen to their superiors. Still, it shows that many people in the army mindlessly follow people they're told to follow. That's something one should worry about as well.
Anyway, I agree with Maria. Colonel Giles should be discharged, on grounds of lying to the court and influencing the investigation.
What a coincidence that sort of the same thing is happening in the Netherlands with the PVV. Although this is much more severe. But there must be a good reason why they did not fire him.
BeantwoordenVerwijderen