The British military establishment has been rocked by the revelation that seven Royal Marines have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The Ministry of Defence reported that the arrests by the Royal Military Police related to an incident in Afghanistan last year, when 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand.
RMP officers made the arrests in connection with an incident after ”an engagement with an insurgent”, the MoD said.
Marines from the Angus-based 45 Commando, 42 Commando and the Commando Logistic Regiment deployed in April last year, and the ministry would not confirm which regiment the men are from.
Representatives from the Arbroath unit, which is on deployment with Operation Cougar 12 in the east Mediterranean with HMS Montrose and the Response Force Task Group, were unavailable for comment.
A spokesman for the MoD said it was ”inappropriate” to disclose further information while the investigation is under way.
They did confirm no civilians were involved and the investigation has been launched by the service justice system.
He said: ”The Royal Military Police have today arrested seven Royal Marines on suspicion of murder. The arrests relate to an incident in Afghanistan in 2011.
”The incident followed an engagement with an insurgent; there were no civilians involved. The investigation will now be taken forward by the service justice system.
”These arrests demonstrate the department and the armed forces’ determination to ensure UK personnel act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards.
”It would be inappropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is under way.”
The 2011 operation in Helmand province involved around 600 service men and women from the Angus commando unit.