Stone calls for 'an institutional culture change in the military so women can be 'safe and succeed'

A call has been made by far north MP Jamie Stone for "an institutional culture change" in the military that allows women "to be safe and succeed."

The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP made the plea to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) following the publication of a report which highlighted how women in the armed forces face an array of additional challenges, including bullying, harassment and discrimination. It also made reference to the military’s mishandling of sexual assault.

Mr Stone urged the UK government to "protect those who protect us" and asked the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, what steps are being taken to respond to the recommendations made in the report which was published last year.

Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat party spokesman on defence, was told Mr Wallace personally tested the MoD's response with the Defence Service Women's Networks "to ensure the important issues highlighted by the report were comprehensively addressed and that no opportunity was missed to bring about meaningful and enduring change".

It was also stated that the chiefs of staff "are fully committed to making the armed forces inclusive and respectful working environments" and are "personally leading programmes to root out remaining unacceptable behaviour in their organisations".

Afterwards, Mr Stone said: "It is a good first step that the government has accepted most of the recommendations that this ground-breaking report recommends but it is the time for the real work to begin. We need to closely watch how these policy changes are implemented.

"The MoD should not only make administrative changes but must work to ensure that there is an institutional culture change that allows women in the military to be safe and succeed."

Mr Stone added: "As for the recommendations the government did not accept, such as for rape and sexual assault cases to be tried in civilian courts, the work for us in opposition is not over. I fought hard during the second reading of the Armed Forces Bill to ensure that an amendment tabled to transfer these cases to civilian courts was pushed through but the government defeated it.

"If the government is to meet its goal of doubling the number of women in the military, women must be able to thrive. There is a long way to go before the MoD can say it is doing all it can to protect those who protect us."

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