Harrogate MP demands independent inquiry into Army Foundation College abuse claims
Tom Gordon calls for transparency and civilian court involvement
Last updated 7th Aug 2026
Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP is calling for an independent inquiry into allegations of rape, sexual abuse, and safeguarding failures at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Lib Dem Tom Gordon has expressed serious concerns about the impact of these allegations on the young women involved and the overall trust in military institutions.
In a statement, he said, “Reports of rape and abuse are all too commonplace but that doesn’t make them any less shocking or serious. These young women are incredibly brave, putting their careers on the line before they barely had a chance to start.”
Appeal for Transparency and Reform
To address the issues, Gordon is pushing for assurances on how these allegations are being investigated and advocating for changes in the handling of sexual offences within the armed forces.
“My colleagues in Parliament have rightly made the case for allegations of sexual offences and domestic violence to be handled in civilian courts,” Mr Gordon stated.
He emphasised the need for confidence, credibility, and trust to be rebuilt through transparency and leadership tackling the issue head-on.
In a letter to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Gordon highlighted the need for a full independent inquiry into the culture and safeguarding practices at the Army Foundation College.
Call for Civilian Court Involvement
Mr Gordon and James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Defence, have reinforced the party’s call for all allegations of sexual offences and domestic abuse involving service personnel to be referred to civilian police forces for investigation. They believe that handling serious offences independently of the military chain of command would bolster confidence and encourage more victims to come forward.
Mr Gordon's letter to the Defence Secretary also referenced the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey 2026, which found that female personnel are twice as likely as male personnel to experience bullying, discrimination, or harassment. The survey highlighted that one in ten female personnel reported experiencing sexual harassment compared to fewer than one in one hundred male personnel.
The MP concluded, “A strong Armed Forces is one where all its recruits, particularly women, feel safe.”