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15/02/2011
Army Apologise Over Email Sacking
The Army has issued an apology after 38 soldiers, including one serving in Afghanistan, were sacked by email.
The gaffe comes after it was announced that a quarter of the RAF's trainee pilots will not be employed in the service due to Government spending cuts.
The sent email read: "I write to notify you that with regret, I must issue you with 12 months' Notice of Termination.
"As I'm sure you are aware the Army has to make significant cutbacks and we... are expected to play our part in reductions."
The 38 officers have at least 20 years' service under their belts and continue work in the Army on a rolling contract.
However, The Sun newspaper claimed one of the soldiers received the news while on the front line in Afghanistan.
The MoD said the mistake was made by the Army in terms of "sequencing".
The soldier's commanding officers should have informed them of the news before sending the information in writing.
In a statement issued by the MoD, Liam Fox, Defence Secretary said: "I am furious that such a situation should occur.
"I want to know how this was allowed to happen and what measures will be put in place to prevent this from happening again."
Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy added: "Sacking anybody by email is wrong, but sacking our Armed Forces in this way is absolutely unforgivable.
"The whole Armed Forces community will be shocked and appalled.
"We can't halt every redundancy in the Armed Forces, but this was a cold-hearted act towards those whose courage and commitment to our country is unsurpassed.
"They must be treated with the utmost respect.
"Ministers must explain why and how this happened and ensure it is never, ever repeated."
(BMcN/GK)
The gaffe comes after it was announced that a quarter of the RAF's trainee pilots will not be employed in the service due to Government spending cuts.
The sent email read: "I write to notify you that with regret, I must issue you with 12 months' Notice of Termination.
"As I'm sure you are aware the Army has to make significant cutbacks and we... are expected to play our part in reductions."
The 38 officers have at least 20 years' service under their belts and continue work in the Army on a rolling contract.
However, The Sun newspaper claimed one of the soldiers received the news while on the front line in Afghanistan.
The MoD said the mistake was made by the Army in terms of "sequencing".
The soldier's commanding officers should have informed them of the news before sending the information in writing.
In a statement issued by the MoD, Liam Fox, Defence Secretary said: "I am furious that such a situation should occur.
"I want to know how this was allowed to happen and what measures will be put in place to prevent this from happening again."
Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy added: "Sacking anybody by email is wrong, but sacking our Armed Forces in this way is absolutely unforgivable.
"The whole Armed Forces community will be shocked and appalled.
"We can't halt every redundancy in the Armed Forces, but this was a cold-hearted act towards those whose courage and commitment to our country is unsurpassed.
"They must be treated with the utmost respect.
"Ministers must explain why and how this happened and ensure it is never, ever repeated."
(BMcN/GK)
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