Almost a thousand troops have reported bullying to an MoD helpline – but the advice for some victims has been blasted as pointless.
Calls have flooded in since the Samaritans-style service was launched in 2020.
But sources say there have been complaints of handlers telling callers to take their case to their commanding officer who may have dismissed it in the first place.
The confidential line is meant to offer guidance and point them towards support organisations.
Tonight Col Philip Ingram, a former military intelligence officer, said: “It is shocking the helpline is advising individuals to go to the chain of command. I have seen dozens who tried to use chains of command only for issues to be covered up and the victim bullied into not taking complaints further.
“What defence lacks is any independent mechanism for issues to be dealt with. Either people are the most important asset in defence or they aren’t – and in my experience they aren’t.”
The helpline was set up after Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston’s 2019 review into Armed Forces behaviour. Troops are able to anonymously report incidents. Sources said almost 1,000 had dialled in.
Johnny Mercer, a defence minister at the time, said: “By staffing the helpline with trained advisors and counsellors outside of the chain of command, we will ensure concerns are dealt with quickly and professionally.”
An MoD spokesman insisted: “Our helpline has helped hundreds of people reach support and allows personnel to speak to professional advisers 24/7 to receive emotional support, information and guidance.”
Victim told to 'roll with punches'
A female officer said the helpline advised her to report bullying to the CO who had to told her to “roll with the punches”.
The graduate says she faced sexual harassment as soon as she joined the Royal Logistics Corps at 23 after Sandhurst.
“I was told my duties involved making tea,” she said. “A warrant officer called me a lesbian. There were sexist remarks all the time. I complained to the CO. He said he’d look into it. No action was taken so I called the hotline and was told to speak to my chain of command. I said the problem was my chain of command.
“After two years I was posted to a unit which treats women better but sexism is very much part of the Army culture.”
