Army ‘sorry’ over sackings by email

Downing Street described the treatment of the men – including a Royal Tank Regiment veteran serving in Afghanistan – as “completely unacceptable” while Defence Secretary Liam Fox demanded to know how it had been allowed to happen.

Dr Fox – who said he was “furious” at the incident – was summoned to House of Commons to make an emergency statement yesterday explaining what had gone wrong.

“This is a completely unacceptable way to treat anyone, not least our armed forces,” Dr Fox told MPs.

“The correct procedure was not followed. I regret this and want to reiterate the unreserved apology already made by the Army and on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

“Arrangements have already been put in place to make sure that this does not happen again.

“The Army are already investigating the particular circumstances.”

The Sun newspaper disclosed that the men had received the email – headed “Start planning your resettlement” – informing them that they were being made redundant as part of the Government’s defence cuts.

The men, all warrant officers, were on what is known in the Army as a versatile engagement long career (VEngLC) having completed 22 years in the service.

It means that they are placed on a rolling contract known as the Long Service List in order to continue their careers.

The email states: “In my capacity as the career manager for the Versatile Engagement Long Career (VEng LC) and Long Service List (LSL), I write to notify you that, with regret, I must issue you with 12 months’ notice of termination.

“As I’m sure you are aware, the Army has to make significant cutbacks and we as the VEng LC & LSL are expected to play our part in reductions.”

A spokesman for the Army said: “We apologise for the distress that this will have caused. Commanding officers have now spoken to the soldiers concerned to ensure that they receive all necessary advice and support.”

The disclosure comes the day after The Daily Telegraph reported that a quarter of the RAF’s 400 trainee pilots – some within just a few flying hours of qualifying – were being sacked as part of the cuts.

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy said a pattern was developing as a result of the Government’s “rapid” spending cuts that was leading to mistakes being made.

“This is no way to treat soldiers who have served in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. Sacking anyone by email is always wrong. Sacking (a member of the) armed forces in this way is utterly unforgivable,” he told the Commons.

“There is a fine line between callousness and complacency. This is a callous event, the Government’s response was complacent. They must act and act now and make sure this is never repeated.”

Athol Hendry, of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association charity, said: “This is a really unfortunate communication error that comes at a particularly difficult time for our Armed Forces.

“The demands placed on our servicemen and women and their families are different to anything experienced by others. We must never lose sight of this if morale and trust are to be maintained.”