Soldiers blacked up as a Zulu and an Arab at Christmas lunch while another dressed as paedophile Jimmy Savile
SOLDIERS blacked up as a Zulu and Arab at a Christmas lunch while another dressed as paedo Jimmy Savile.
They larked around on a table and stage near at least two black troops.
Senior ranks were also at 12 Regiment Royal Artillery’s boozy bash last Wednesday.
A source said the pics were “completely at odds” with a push for more equality and diversity in the military.
An Army spokesman last night said they were probing possible breaches of their “high values and standards”.
Ex-soldiers alerted us to the snaps, which were posted on Instagram on Thursday. They were later removed.
‘LAPSE OF JUDGEMENT’
A source said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw them.”
“What is deemed banter in the Army is seen differently in the outside world.”
“Blacking up at an official bash is almost beyond belief these days, especially next to black soldiers who may have felt uncomfortable with it.”
“And who thought it was a good idea to dress up as a paedophile? The whole thing shows a lapse of judgement.”
The beaming Zulu, head-scarfed Arab and shellsuited Savile could have been mascots leading their rival batteries in a singing contest.
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Senior officers served dinner to the lower ranks as a “thanks” at the barracks on Thorney Island, West Sussex.
In 2016, the Army apologised for tweeting a snap of a blacked-up Irish Guard in Belize, captioned: “Being a soldier in the jungle requires a robust sense of humour.” Some said it was racist.
Just 7.6 per cent of staff are ethnic minority. The aim is to reach ten per cent next year.
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