Military 'tried to cover up' racial abuse claims

Military investigators tried to "cover up" an inquiry into claims that an Asian RAF medic was racially abused and assaulted by senior colleagues, a tribunal heard today.

The British-born medic has claimed he was called a "Paki" and "terrorist", was grabbed around the throat and threatened with a beating.

The alleged abuse is said to have taken place while the man, referred to as "AB", was serving in a specialist unit in Afghanistan in 2007.

He has also claimed his allegations were not dealt with adequately by the military. He has since returned to Britain.

His lawyer Jude Bunting claimed at a central London employment tribunal that the Army's Special Investigation Branch had deliberately dragged its feet when dealing with the complaints.

Questioning Captain Gary Ward, who serves with the Royal Military Police and worked on the AB investigation, he said: "You and your colleagues knew AB was making very serious complaints.

"You knew the complaints would have serious implications for the reputation of 'C' (the Ministry of Defence).

"Because he had made these allegations of racial and religious harassment you and your colleagues stood on this case in an attempt to cover it up."

Captain Ward denied the allegations, replying: "Absolutely ridiculous."

The tribunal continues.