Confessions Inquiry (Press, 3 December 1985)

An inquiry into the treatment of eight British servicemen in Cyprus, who were accused of leaking military secrets, commenced in London on 2 December 1985. The servicemen, from the Nine Signals regiment, claimed they were coerced into confessing through bullying tactics by military police. The barrister leading the inquiry, David Calcutt Q.C., who is a former chairman of the Bar, will investigate these assertions. The men had previously faced a four-month trial at the Old Bailey, which was largely conducted in secret and cost approximately £4.5 million (about $11.74 million) to taxpayers. The accusations against the servicemen included involvement in homosexual orgies, and it was alleged that a K.G.B. officer blackmailed them into providing confidential information about their military duties. Throughout the court proceedings, the servicemen denied the allegations of espionage and participation in the alleged activities. They contended that they were subjected to intense pressure that bordered on physical violence from the Royal Air Force’s Provost and Security Service and the Army’s Special Investigation Branch to obtain their confessions. Following their acquittal, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced the inquiry to scrutinise the circumstances surrounding the alleged ill-treatment of the servicemen. At a preliminary hearing held at Lancaster House the previous month, Calcutt confirmed that legal representation would be provided for the servicemen, their commanding officers, and the military personnel implicated in their alleged mistreatment.

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