A group of British soldiers that were filmed using an image of UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for target practice have kept their jobs.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) this evening said the army had taken “disciplinary action” against the five soldiers, noting that their behaviour was “not fitting of the high standards” it expects.
Target practice
The soldiers were filmed using the image for shooting practice at a compound in Kabul, Afghanistan earlier this year.
Four were filmed firing non-lethal practice rounds while a fifth filmed it. They have all now been disciplined.
It is understood two have been demoted.
Video has emerged of soldiers on a shooting range in Kabul firing at a target of Jeremy Corbyn. MOD confirms it as legit: pic.twitter.com/qOr84Aiivj
— Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) April 3, 2019
A UK MoD spokesperson said: “The Army has carried out a thorough investigation into this incident and has implemented disciplinary action against the individuals found guilty of misconduct.”
“This behaviour was not fitting of the high standards we expect of our personnel, and we are always prepared to take action when our procedures are not adhered to correctly.”
"Clearly unacceptable"
A Labour spokesperson said the soldiers’ action were “clearly unacceptable.”
“A culture of political violence has been whipped up by some politicians and sections of the media, and has to stop,” said the spokesperson.
“Breaches of impartiality of public institutions are a matter of concern for our democracy.
“Jeremy Corbyn has always said that disagreements in politics must be conducted in a respectful way.”
