Anti-conscription campaigner Larry Marshall is today calling for a Royal Commission into claims of sexual misconduct at Warwick Camp.

Mr. Marshall, from Bermudians Against the Draft, said outrage in the community about the 14 allegations from male soldiers uncovered by The Royal Gazette was "spreading like wildfire".

He plans to ask the Governor for a Royal Commission based on the revelations about the Bermuda Regiment in this newspaper and comments by Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley, who claimed last week that there may have been a cover up because some of those accused of sexual assault and harassment were "well known" figures.

Mr. Marshall told this newspaper: "A Royal Commission has far greater powers than a normal board of inquiry and when you are dealing with allegations of cover up to protect high ranking members of the community…perhaps they can have influence on a board of inquiry but a Royal Commission would prevent that from happening.

"A Royal Commission has the authority to subpoena witnesses before it. It has the power to give out indemnities to victims and I think that's very important.

"Most importantly, they can interview victims in camera to protect their anonymity. I think that victims will be more than prepared to come forward seeing that this is a victim-friendly set-up, as opposed to right now, where the Regiment is a predator-friendly environment."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney has said of the sexual misconduct allegations uncovered by this newspaper, which date from 1989 to 2002: "I am satisfied that the Regiment dealt properly with past allegations. I am likewise satisfied that any evidence of possible criminal activity would then have been, as it would now be, referred to the Police for investigation."

See tomorrow's edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story.

ends