Battle-hardened SAS hero claims he missed out on promotion because senior officers discovered he was gay
The soldier, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, says they fear his 'sexual lifestyle' could affect the regiment
A DECORATED SAS hero claims prejudice against gay squaddies is hampering their promotion within the forces - despite a senior general saying the army was a top LGBT employer
The heroic soldier says he was snubbed for promotion to sergeant - despite his outstanding military record - because too many senior officers refuse to accept gay soldiers in the elite special forces regiment.
The Corporal was listed for promotion on his return form active duty last year.
However, while many of his comrades were successful he failed and was told he needed to gain more time on operations.
The soldier, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, claimed he was then told senior officers had discovered that he was gay and that had scuppered his chances.
The soldier, who remained anonymous, : “Nobody will openly admit that they don’t want gays in 22 (the SAS Regiment), but the fact is that senior officers have concerns, not about our ability, but more about how our sexual lifestyle will impact on the regiment.
“I was very disappointed at the promotion results, I have more experience and good reports from frontline operations than any of my contemporaries, but a good mate told me that my sexuality was a concern. It is very much an old fashioned approach and often down to the view of senior officers.
“The promotion boards are held behind closed doors and I doubt very much that my sexuality would have been mentioned – nobody would risk openly being anti-gay.
“But after the meeting my mate was picking up some paperwork and heard two officers speaking in a derogatory term about me being gay."
He says he may have no choice but to leave the Army.
Last year the British Army was placed 32nd in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for the top 100 LGBT inclusive employers across the UK – a huge climb from its position in 2012 when it sat at 185th.
In a message to LGBT servicemen and women last February Lt Gen Sanders said: “I am proud to be the Army’s LGBT champion and a straight ally.
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"I celebrate your service as LGBT members of the Army and I cheer the fact that we are recognised as a top LGBT employer.”
An Army spokesman said discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation was not tolerated within the service.
He said: "The promotion board system is open and transparent and no weight at all is given to an individual's sexuality. But if this person feels they have a complaint it would be taken very seriously."