DV and Tappers Dad, in your support, I want to lend the following post from the Royal British Legion website
Comment Posted By: Next of Kin (name supplied) Posted: 08/08/2007
I have only just read about the government ‘family friendly’ approach. Officiating basic entitlements, formalising the permission to ask questions and have information about the BOI process is, I believe, tokenistic in the absence of any real, tangible inclusion of families. BOI’s are in house processes and reinforce a closed shop mentality. No matter how soft you make the borders they are not permeable. I think this can be problematic and can cause tension in family - military relations. Family needs and the role of families during the process can be misunderstood, as it is ambiguously defined. This extends to the greater military community and exacerbates rumour and speculation throughout the investigative phase. Despite being encouraged to ask questions, I was also open to judgment and accusation: my liaison officer’s supervisor made hurtful accusations about me, insulting to not only me but also my deceased husband. When widows and bereaved family members ask too many questions they maybe perceived as problematic or adversarial, there is an implicit and subtle pressure to be compliant. This is not a criticism of those who work tirelessly on complicated and demanding inquiries but a criticism of the process itself. Issues of ownership and secrecy of facts because information is limited to a select few, at times for up to a year, enhances anxiety and uncertainty for families. The findings into my husband’s death were presented, respectfully and sensitively however it was a heavily confusing, redacted and complex document. It was impossible to make sense of it and develop insightful questions in the time frame of a day, despite the sincere efforts of the board. To establish equitable relations between family and MOD solicitors in the Corners Court, families may seek assistance from lawyers. From my understanding good legal assistance is difficult to find as defence law is highly specialised and complicated. Families may rely on advice not formally sanctioned, from ‘friendly’ ex or serving military personnel, who may flag, agitate, or expand on issues not covered or identified in BOI’s findings. Although helpful to families they maybe thought of as a hindrance by the military and subject to rebuff from that community. Fundamentally military processes need to be more open and transparent. Families should be included during the investigative, information-gathering phase. I believe that credence and scrutiny can be given to ‘classified’ information, while at the same time information sought could be readily given. This occurs in other nation forces and I believe is achievable in the UK. At times ‘classified’ information/ closed processes maybe used by government to limit inquiry into and prevent critique about their failings. I think the government should expand consultation with all families and make their policies not just friendly but validating.