'Marine bullying' sparks criminal inquiry

A criminal investigation has been launched into alleged violent bullying rituals within the Royal Marines.

The Ministry of Defence announced last night an urgent inquiry after a video emerged seemingly of a new recruit being beaten unconscious as part of an initiation ceremony. Stills from the film, obtained by the News of the World, show the naked man forced to take part in a fistfight. He is then apparently kicked in the face by another man, claimed to be one of his superiors in 42 Commando.

An MoD spokesman said: "The Royal Marines take these allegations extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy on bullying and harassment."

He said that because a criminal investigation had been launched by the Special Investigations Board, but "we are unable to comment on the details behind these allegations."

The spokesman added that they were trying to establish what was "behind" the video. It was covertly filmed by another Marine who witnessed the fight in a field at Bickleigh Barracks, near Plymouth, according to the newspaper.

Twelve new recruits who had just completed their 32-week commando training are alleged to have taken part in the ritual in May, while about 40 other marines, also stripped naked, watched. PA