Sign in Subscribe
Soldiers

Disgraceful Compensation for Injured Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, a former soldier who was awarded £187,000 in damages after being sexually harassed by a colleague, has expressed her disgust at the low compensation offered to soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fletcher, who was bullied and subjected to a sustained campaign of victimisation, believes that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should award injured soldiers more money. She spoke out in a BBC interview, highlighting the difficulties she faced after refusing to sleep with a male sergeant who continually pestered her for sex and sent explicit text messages.

Fletcher's career collapsed after she complained about the harassment, and she was eventually signed off work with stress. The tribunal judgment described her case as "as severe a case of victimisation as one could see at an employment tribunal." The MoD was ordered to pay £30,000 for injury to feelings, £20,000 in aggravated damages, and £50,000 in exemplary damages, as well as £65,558 for lost earnings and pension entitlement. However, the MoD is appealing against £70,000 of the compensation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, a former soldier, was awarded £187,000 in damages after being sexually harassed by a colleague.
  • Fletcher believes that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should award injured soldiers more money, saying she is "disgusted" by the low compensation offered.
  • Fletcher was subjected to a sustained campaign of victimisation, including being pestered for sex and sent explicit text messages by a male sergeant.
  • The tribunal judgment described her case as "as severe a case of victimisation as one could see at an employment tribunal."
  • The MoD was ordered to pay £30,000 for injury to feelings, £20,000 in aggravated damages, and £50,000 in exemplary damages as well as £65,558 for lost earnings and pension entitlement.
  • The MoD is appealing against £70,000 of the compensation.

Statistics:

  • £187,000: the amount of compensation awarded to Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher
  • £30,000: the amount of compensation awarded for injury to feelings
  • £20,000: the amount of compensation awarded in aggravated damages
  • £50,000: the amount of compensation awarded in exemplary damages
  • £65,558: the amount of compensation awarded for lost earnings and pension entitlement
  • £70,000: the amount of compensation being appealed by the MoD

Sources:

  • "Former soldier Kerry Fletcher 'disgusted' by military compensation" - BBC News
  • "Army woman gets £187,000 after harassment" - The Guardian
  • Tribunal judgment (no date provided)

Read more