Anti-conscription campaigner Larry Marshall and UBP Senator Michael Dunkley are calling for a Royal Commission into claims of sexual misconduct at Warwick Camp.

Mr. Marshall, from Bermudians Against the Draft, said yesterday that outrage in the community about the 14 allegations between 1989 and 2002 from male soldiers uncovered by The Royal Gazette was "spreading like wildfire".

He is to ask Governor Sir Richard Gozney to convene 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."

The Governor has the power to create a Royal Commission — a major public inquiry usually chaired by one or more notable figures — into an issue deemed to be of major importance.

A Royal Commission was held on the 1977 riots and there was one in 1985 on drugs and alcohol. The last such inquiry here concerned serious crimes in 2000.

Anti-conscription campaigner Larry Marshall and UBP Senator Michael Dunkley are calling for a Royal Commission into claims of sexual misconduct at Warwick Camp.Mr. Marshall, from Bermudians Against the Draft, said yesterday that outrage in the community about the 14 allegations between 1989 and 2002 from male soldiers uncovered by The Royal Gazette was "spreading like wildfire".He is to ask Governor Sir Richard Gozney to convene 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."The Governor has the power to create a Royal Commission a major public inquiry usually chaired by one or more notable figures into an issue deemed to be of major importance. A Royal Commission was held on the 1977 riots and there was one in 1985 on drugs and alcohol. The last such inquiry here concerned serious crimes in 2000. Sir Richard Gozney has said of the sexual misconduct allegations: "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."*t(0,0," ")Meanwhile, this newspaper can reveal that Police are investigating current allegations against a former officer who is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old man. *t(0,0," ")t-2The alleged victim, currently serving as a Regiment conscript, told this newspaper he was attacked by the much older man between February and June this year but not at Warwick Camp.t$*t(0,0," ")The young private, who claims to have been attacked ten times, said that though the molestation did not take place in a military environment, he was now unwilling to return to the Regiment and serve out the rest of his conscription. *t(0,0," ")He claimed the reason was because similar accusations were made about his alleged attacker while he was a serving officer and he did not believe they were properly dealt with by the Regiment.*t(0,0," ")"I don't feel comfortable in those environments," he said. "I don't feel comfortable knowing that it could still happen. I can't just go by their word, telling me that it won't happen again."*t(0,0," ")t-4Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said yesterday: "Based on the nature of this investigation, the Bermuda Police Service, as per our policy, will not comment on investigations regarding sexual misconduct or sexual impropriety."t$*t(0,0," ")Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves said he could not speak about confidential matters involving soldiers, but confirmed that he had spoken to the young man making the claims. *p(0,12,0,10.3,0,0,g)*t(0,0," ")t-1"We have communicated," he said. "I can tell you that I did a couple of actions to help him out."