The Value of a Good Solicitor
A couple of years ago, a colleague had the misfortune of having a DII laptop stolen from his desk in MB. The MOD Police regarded this as a simple theft and the officer concerned was regarded as a victim of crime. However the RAF wanted to demonstrate 'leadership' and make an example of this character by demonstrating his negligence (irrespective of the armed guards, x rays, random searches, CCTV etc in place at MB).
He was interviewed by personnel from the Specialist Police Wing twice under PACE. The interviewers and case manager would simply not respond to queries as to whether he was to be charged and why was he suspended. He contacted Golbert Blades, who was unable to assit due to workload, but was recommended a solicitor in London. At the second interview, the solicitor simply asked 'Are you intending to place charges against my Client?' to which the Sgt apparently said, 'err, not sure'. The solicitor then advised his client to withdraw from the interview and walk away, which, of course, he had every right to do, as he was not under arrest and had 'volunteered' to attend the interviews. Of course he had already given statements to the MOD Police, the MB Security Staff, his Branch Head, and so on.
My friend was then called back into London and was interviewed by a VSO (after a weekend of frantic dscussions with senior LEGADS, apparently) and told 'why did you leave the interview?'. He declined to answer unless he had a solicitor present. He was also accused of selling the story to the media (actually, this was as a result of a leak within MOD now under active police investigation) and he refused to be drawn on the matter. The VSO (who has only just left the Service) had him immediately escorted from the building with his possessions in a bin liner; posted the following day and his career blackened simply because he followed due process - and was a victim of crime. He was also reminded - in a letter some monnths later - that although his interview had been 'suspended', the matter was still under investigation. This, of course, has serious repercussions when he applies for jobs and visas...
My colleague has managed to carve out a different and very satisfying career now - I caught up with him on the Belgrano last week at some farewell drinks for a mutual colleague - but is still haunted by the bullying manner in which he was treated, and how craven his Department Head (an otherwise popular and respected 1*) was. So, I suppose, the moral of the story is that one can win a legal argument but the 'system' can still be vindictive and down-right spiteful.
Last edited by Whenurhappy; 12th Sep 2013 at 07:25.