A series of accusations of rape and bullying have been made against officers
and men serving at the Army Training Regiment at Whittington Barracks near
Lichfield.

Michael Fabricant says: "These accusations are distressing and very
serious. No-one has yet written to me concerning this, but as the Member of
Parliament for the constituency in which the barracks are situated, I have
asked Geoff Hoon, the Secretary of State for Defence, to keep me appraised
of the situation.

"Bullying and worse cannot be tolerated in the British Armed Forces and
everyone would condemn it. However, I do not know the truth of the
situation and it would be unjust for anyone to lay blame where guilt has not
been proved. Nevertheless, I await
the Secretary of State’s response which I hope will be urgent. It may be
necessary to hold a public inquiry into the operations at Whittington
Barracks."

A copy of the letter sent by Michael Fabricant to the Secretary of State for
Defence now follows:-

I understand that serious allegations have
been made of rape and sexual abuse by a woman who spent one week at
Whittington Barracks when she was aged 19. She is now 24 and has just
spoken out publicly having heard of the situation at the Deepcut Barracks.

Several soldiers have also now come forward
claiming they, too, were sexually and physically abused during their time at
Whittington Barracks and that the Ministry of Defence is being taken to
court over these alleged allegations. This is receiving considerable and
unfortunate publicity.

You will appreciate that Whittington
Barracks are in my constituency. It would, therefore, be most helpful if
you would let me have a full and detailed report concerning the current
situation and with regard to any such allegations and incidents.

I look forward to hearing from you on this
as a matter of urgency.