This week Rebecca Pow MP attended a debate on the case of Sgt Alexander Blackman (Marine A) and supported the calls for fairness and transparency as this sensitive case was brought to the attention of the Government. Sgt Blackman was tried by court martial in 2013 and convicted of murder after shooting a wounded Taliban insurgent in 2011. Recently there have been calls for the case to be reviewed by Criminal Cases Review Commission; a campaign backed by the author Freddie Forsyth, the Daily Mail, Jonathan Goldberg MP as well as a number of MPs.

Rebecca primarily attended the debate to support Claire Warner, the wife of Sgt Blackman, who lives in the heart of Taunton. Claire and her Family have been through unimaginable anguish and strain over the last two years and Rebecca has offered her full support going forward.

Whilst it is important that full consideration and respect is given to the court martial, it appears, that in this case, that a number of important factors have been over looked. Critically, the three routes to manslaughter were never presented to Sgt Blackman or fully explored by his legal team, especially prevalent given the fact that his psychological reports were not presented to the court nor was the Navy’s internal review of the incident considered, known as the Telemeter report.

Rebecca said:

‘I was pleased to attend the debate on behalf of Claire and her Family and above all I want to see fair and just outcome. Taunton is a Commando town and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who serve on our behalf. Locally there is a huge sense of pride in those who defend our peace and protect our world from evil.

I am pleased that the Minister agreed to release the full Telemeter report for Sgt Blackman’s legal team and the Criminal Cases Review Commission to consider. I am of the firm belief that this crucial piece of evidence should have been presented at the original hearing and I am hopeful that this can now be given the attention it deserves.  As a Member of Parliament I cannot become involved in the legal process but I am glad that the Minister released this report and pledged the MOD’s full cooperation with any future proceedings as a result of the debate on Wednesday.

One thing that was clear throughout the debate is that we must pay closer attention to those in the line of duty and ensure that they are looked after both whilst away and critically upon their return. It is an issue that I will continue to monitor on behalf of all those who live in Taunton Deane that serve, and have served, us so gallantly.’