Pieman
Army.ca Veteran
- Reaction score
- 28
- Points
- 530
Further changes to British Security. It seems I have arrived here at a strange time as the UK is beefing up security measures that I thought they would have implemented a long time ago. (New laws passing similar to the Terrorist act, and issuing National ID cards) I don't see how this particular change helps their security at all, commonwealth citizens have been fighting along side the British since they were established...Makes you wonder why one would pledge allegiance to the Queen, when you can't even fight for her anymore without becoming British.
http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/21/ntroop21.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/11/21/ixportaltop.html
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Become British or be sacked, Commonwealth troops are told
By Andrew Alderson and Sean Rayment
(Filed: 21/11/2004)
Hundreds of Commonwealth troops working in sensitive positions in the Armed Forces have been ordered to adopt British nationality or lose their jobs, The Telegraph can reveal.
The ultimatum from the Ministry of Defence has angered the estimated 8,000 Commonwealth servicemen serving in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Private Tukatukawaqa, who died in Iraq, was Fijian
They are incensed that their loyalty is being questioned after years of risking their lives for Britain in war zones.
Some of those asked to switch nationality have decided to resign rather than comply. MPs and British servicemen are also furious at the move, which they say questions the troop's commitment and professionalism.
The so-called loyalty test has been ordered as part of a wide-ranging security review of personnel employed in positions with daily access to top-secret and classified information. It is aimed at tackling espionage and terrorism.
Troops serving in the special forces, such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS), in addition to intelligence, submarines and other "sensitive" jobs have been asked to become British or face demotion.
The Ministry of Defence refused to say how many servicemen were affected by the ruling.
The Telegraph has seen a copy of a letter sent from the Directorate of Naval Life Management, the section of the Navy that deals with personnel issues, to a New Zealand leading seaman serving on a submarine.
The letter, from a Royal Navy officer, informs him that "changes in the world situation as well as advances, particularly technical changes in equipments, and access to nationally caveated material, have meant that the Royal Navy has had to review which branches and specialisations can be open to personnel who have a particular nationality status".
The letter warned the serviceman that if he chose to keep his New Zealand nationality he "would be unlikely to spend any further time in submarines . . ." Servicemen are, however, allowed to have dual nationality.
The letter claimed that "no one is doubting your loyalty, integrity or trustworthiness". It explained how the submariner could apply for British citizenship using a fast-track naturalisation process.
The Telegraph has been told that the serviceman has decided to leave the Royal Navy because of the "loyalty test".
The man, in his mid-thirties and married, with a small child, is planning to retrain and move back to New Zealand after 17 years in the Royal Navy. "I've never been so insulted in my life," he told a friend.
Servicemen and women from the 53 Commonwealth countries traditionally have been recruited by the Services since the creation of the Commonwealth in 1949. They have fought in many campaigns, from the post-colonial wars through to the Falklands and the current Iraq war.
The SAS, in particular, has a long reputation of recruiting Commonwealth troops, especially those from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The last British Army soldier to be killed in action was Pte Pita Tukatukawaqa, 27, who was Fijian. He was killed on November 8 while on patrol from Camp Dogwood in Iraq when an off-road mine detonated against the side of his Warrior armoured fighting vehicle.
Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier turned best-selling novelist, said he was appalled at the test. "There are other security vetting systems to filter out potential spies or terrorists," he said.
"My first squadron major in the Regiment [SAS] was a Fijian and to question his loyalty would be ridiculous."
All service personnel are vetted and must sign the Official Secrets Act. Those involved in sensitive work may also undergo "developed vetting" - the process for recruiting MI5 agents.
Patrick Mercer, the Tory shadow minister for homeland security, said: "The security aspects are nonsensical. Why would any al-Qaeda 'sleeper' who has bothered to get himself into the Armed Forces blanch at this extra piece of bureaucracy?"
The Queen is certain to have private concerns about the move if, as likely, it causes alarm among serving Commonwealth soldiers and their governments.
The Queen has repeatedly praised the courage of Commonwealth servicemen, and last year she marked Armistice Day by unveiling an Australian war memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
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http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/21/ntroop21.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/11/21/ixportaltop.html
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Become British or be sacked, Commonwealth troops are told
By Andrew Alderson and Sean Rayment
(Filed: 21/11/2004)
Hundreds of Commonwealth troops working in sensitive positions in the Armed Forces have been ordered to adopt British nationality or lose their jobs, The Telegraph can reveal.
The ultimatum from the Ministry of Defence has angered the estimated 8,000 Commonwealth servicemen serving in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Private Tukatukawaqa, who died in Iraq, was Fijian
They are incensed that their loyalty is being questioned after years of risking their lives for Britain in war zones.
Some of those asked to switch nationality have decided to resign rather than comply. MPs and British servicemen are also furious at the move, which they say questions the troop's commitment and professionalism.
The so-called loyalty test has been ordered as part of a wide-ranging security review of personnel employed in positions with daily access to top-secret and classified information. It is aimed at tackling espionage and terrorism.
Troops serving in the special forces, such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS), in addition to intelligence, submarines and other "sensitive" jobs have been asked to become British or face demotion.
The Ministry of Defence refused to say how many servicemen were affected by the ruling.
The Telegraph has seen a copy of a letter sent from the Directorate of Naval Life Management, the section of the Navy that deals with personnel issues, to a New Zealand leading seaman serving on a submarine.
The letter, from a Royal Navy officer, informs him that "changes in the world situation as well as advances, particularly technical changes in equipments, and access to nationally caveated material, have meant that the Royal Navy has had to review which branches and specialisations can be open to personnel who have a particular nationality status".
The letter warned the serviceman that if he chose to keep his New Zealand nationality he "would be unlikely to spend any further time in submarines . . ." Servicemen are, however, allowed to have dual nationality.
The letter claimed that "no one is doubting your loyalty, integrity or trustworthiness". It explained how the submariner could apply for British citizenship using a fast-track naturalisation process.
The Telegraph has been told that the serviceman has decided to leave the Royal Navy because of the "loyalty test".
The man, in his mid-thirties and married, with a small child, is planning to retrain and move back to New Zealand after 17 years in the Royal Navy. "I've never been so insulted in my life," he told a friend.
Servicemen and women from the 53 Commonwealth countries traditionally have been recruited by the Services since the creation of the Commonwealth in 1949. They have fought in many campaigns, from the post-colonial wars through to the Falklands and the current Iraq war.
The SAS, in particular, has a long reputation of recruiting Commonwealth troops, especially those from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The last British Army soldier to be killed in action was Pte Pita Tukatukawaqa, 27, who was Fijian. He was killed on November 8 while on patrol from Camp Dogwood in Iraq when an off-road mine detonated against the side of his Warrior armoured fighting vehicle.
Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier turned best-selling novelist, said he was appalled at the test. "There are other security vetting systems to filter out potential spies or terrorists," he said.
"My first squadron major in the Regiment [SAS] was a Fijian and to question his loyalty would be ridiculous."
All service personnel are vetted and must sign the Official Secrets Act. Those involved in sensitive work may also undergo "developed vetting" - the process for recruiting MI5 agents.
Patrick Mercer, the Tory shadow minister for homeland security, said: "The security aspects are nonsensical. Why would any al-Qaeda 'sleeper' who has bothered to get himself into the Armed Forces blanch at this extra piece of bureaucracy?"
The Queen is certain to have private concerns about the move if, as likely, it causes alarm among serving Commonwealth soldiers and their governments.
The Queen has repeatedly praised the courage of Commonwealth servicemen, and last year she marked Armistice Day by unveiling an Australian war memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
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