Celtic League questions the wisdom of allowing military personnel

This just published by the Celtic League:

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

JUDGEMENT OF RELEASING SERVICE PERSONNEL TO MILITARY CUSTODY QUESTION

The Celtic League has questioned the wisdom of allowing military personnel, who are charged with alleged serious crimes before
Manx courts, to be bailed to military custody.

The League also questions the judgement of Manx courts which fail to assess flight risk, particularly in relation to service personnel of foreign nationality.

The latest correspondence follows earlier exchanges with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (see links below):

“The Minister for Home Affairs
Mr Juan Watterson MHK
Holmfield
88 Woodbourne Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM2 3AP

05/01/15

Dear Minister,

I draw your attention to the attached correspondence with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and also earlier correspondence with the Chief Constable. The context of the correspondence is clear and I do not expect you to comment on the specifics of the case in question lest the matter should at some stage return to Court.

However the general circumstances as outlined do call into question the wisdom of Courts releasing into military custody any service personnel who are charged with a serious offence whilst visiting the Island or carrying out ceremonial duties here.

The fact is that the British Army contains a large number of service personnel of foreign nationality and it should be clear that such persons if faced with serious charges and who are able to - may abscond. Once outside the UK any surety or guarantee given by the military is worthless, as is clear from the case referred to.

I am astonished that Manx courts do not undertake a serious assessment of the possible risk of flight of an offender. It is a serious dereliction of judicial oversight verging on incompetence.

Yours sincerely

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information

cc Chief Minister”

Related links at Celtic League main archive here:

https://www.celticleague.net/news/mod-query-on-troops-who-abscond-whilst...
https://www.celticleague.net/news/manx-police-say-unwanted-british-soldi...
https://www.celticleague.net/news/military-ceremonial-duties-prompt-poli...
https://www.celticleague.net/news/mod-pressed-on-soldier-who-absconded/
https://www.celticleague.net/news/army-evade-questions-over-rape-case-so...
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information

05/01/15

(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.)

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/