Insult
to injury

It should be bad enough to have one’s limbs mutilated by a roadside bomb during an unjust occupation, but the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence has found a way to heap more insult on military men and women. Using anti-terror legislation as their enabler, the MoD has been putting soldiers who have filed for disability compensation under surveillance to make sure they’re gimped enough to merit government aid.

While the MoD has been secretly monitoring soldiers claiming disability since 2000, the practice was only recently publicized after claimants received letters from the MoD explaining that “a review of procedure” showed the MoD was obliged to inform them of MoD policy. The letter goes on to explain that their disabilities may be assessed by the MoD through covert surveillance, and ends with the threat of police action in event of suspected fraud.

The surveillance, which could include filming, phone tapping and snitch neighbours, falls under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which was passed to aid in counter-terror investigations. RIPA powers have also been used to nab litterers and ensure public school students live within the required school zones.

by SCOTT SAXON