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Soldier sues over 'racist bullies' who left his wife and children in fear
Tim Stewart, Evening Standard30.04.08
A Jamaican soldier who claims he suffered racial abuse at the hands of superior officers is suing the Army for £50,000.
Private Kerry Hylton said he was called a "black bastard" and other racist insults while serving at barracks in Birdcage Walk, near Buckingham Palace.
The 33-year-old also claims his wife and children were left in fear after locks at their married quarters were repeatedly superglued shut in a hate campaign.
Pte Hylton, of Woolwich, said the ordeal was forcing him to quit his £22,000-a-year post as a chef in the Welsh Guards and leave the Army next month.
He is suing the Ministry of Defence for race discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
Pte Hylton, who came to England to study in 2000, joined the Army's Royal Logistic Corps in April 2003. He trained as a chef and was a member of kitchen staff at barracks in Bicester.
In legal papers submitted to Central London employment tribunal, he claims that in March 2006 a racist lance corporal saw him and two other Jamaicans and asked: "Is this kitchen becoming a black kitchen?"
On exercise in Wales, Pte Hylton disagreed with the same officer about a meal and was allegedly told, "Shut up, you black c***." Pte Hylton said: "It made me feel really bad being spoken to like that. I had never been spoken to like that before I joined the British Army.
"He called me a n****r and other abusive terms on a regular basis ... He had said these things in the presence of other non-commissioned officers senior to him, who did nothing about it."
Pte Hylton also told how he was arrested by the Royal Military Police when he complained that an officer racially abused him and punched him.
The alleged supergluing incidents that frightened his wife Andrea and their children Kerry Ann, five, and André, four, led them to move out in January. The soldier said he had caught a sergeant supergluing their door but the culprit was never investigated.
He complained that superior officers nicknamed him "Paris Hilton", even though he had said he found it offensive as he considered the 27-year-old heiress a "white woman with a low reputation". However, superior officers continue to use the name in witness statements.
Pte Hylton said: "As a black Jamaican family we are just not accepted by the British Army."
The Ministry of Defence denies the allegations and is vigorously contesting the claim, to be heard next month.
Pte Hylton's solicitor wrote to Prince Charles, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, urging him to quit after letters detailing the abuse claims went unanswered. Clarence House declined to comment.
Reader views (11)
Referencing the most previous comment, that's most likely because it rarely occurs. The title 'ethnic minorities' is present for a reason, there's a much smaller number intact. In proportion, it's probably quite, equal.. for example, if 200 Black Soldiers are abused, 10 cases are reported, whilst if 20 White Soldiers are discriminated against 1 case it brought to attention.
Anyhow, I't simply ludicrous that individuals have to experience such ignorance and abuse in this day and age. Especially as Britain wouldn't be so civillised, economically efficient and well-off if it wasn't for ancestors of these foreign nations. The men who fail to tell the truth about witnessing these happenings deserve the title of mouse, I hope they're as effective as service personnel as they are via verbal bullying, uneducated fools.
- M, Birmingham
I think racism or abuse is something much overlooked in society. It is actually quite a complicated topic and most don't understand so most people disagree. There's always some political or financial agenda behind most abuse. Unfortunately most people even in 2009 don't really understand why it goes on or how to prevent it.
- Anil, Wokingham
I believe that we are all equal in the sight of God. The same blood that runs through the black man's veins is the same blood that runs through the white man's veins. The colour of one's skin should not be a determinant of who you are. It is what is in the heart.
- Natasha Hewitt, Jamaica
I am black and serving in a Regiment that is supposed to represent London. Unfortunately it does not when you look at the ethnicity of the chain of command. I have always dealt with any racism ar abuse in my own way. However, my granddad fought in the British Army during the WWII like many other West Indians and wished he had not. Pte Hylton has a case and the Household Division/Foot Guards have the worst racism record in the British Army and it is Forces Wide.
Anyone, who thinks he should just accept it should try to imagine being victimised, bullied and no one doing a thing about it. He is making a career decision and he has a family. Also, he should be commended for serving is the British Army which is arguably the best trained in the world. Maybe Racism & Prejudice should be part of Phase 1 training.
- M, West Sussex
I served in the Guards in the late 50's and early 60's.
Anyone who even a 'light' sun tan was referred to as a 'black ******'.
Coming from a small island (Jersey) I had never heard such racist remarks at home.
There were no real 'black faces' in the Guards in those days.
I hope one day racism will be a thing of the past after all racism is caused through ignorance and we should always refer to racists as 'ignorantee halfwits'.
Ed.
- Edwin Le Goff, Jersey CI
If he couldn't handle having names thrown at him he wood be no good having grenades or bullets he is on the wagon for money anyone can see that.
- Donny, London
If this young man is prepared to lay down his life for Queen and Country, he is entitled to be respected as well as the next soldier. If these allegations are proved, it is a terrible slur on one of the British Army's finest Regiments. The C in C should be dealing with this matter personally - not trying to cover it up. Had nobody in the British Army learned from the mistakes and mismanagement of the Deepcut scandal?
- Joan, London, England
It is a crying shame that such racism is still alive, and well-established, in the army. I wonder when the MoD will start tackling it. I wish Pte Hylton success in whatever position he moves to.
- Leonora, London, UK
Scottish soldiers get called "Jock", Welsh Soldiers "Taff", those with the surname White "Chalky". More than one soldier has a nickname due to their surname. Whatever else he may be complain about, his nickname is neither racist nor abusive.
- J, London
This type of case always interest me...I often wonder if the different people who allegedly witnessed this abuse will be MAN enough to tell the truth or will they wilt under pressure. We will never know the truth, either way. If they fail to tell the truth, would you really want to serve beside them?
- Ken, New Brunswick, Canada
I agree that no one should be racially abused no matter where they are from , please can you tell me why when a white English person is either racially abused or attacked which there have been lots of cases it never gets reported in the papers or news? I suppose this won't be added to your comments as I speak the truth.
- James Lewis, London UK
