Royal British Legion President Quits After Sunday Times Sting

The president of the Royal British Legion has quit his post following allegations made in the Sunday Times.

The weekend newspaper reported that Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely claimed he could use his honorary position to help defence companies lobby ministers and senior figures in the UK military.

In a sting operation in which reporters posed as representatives of a South Korean arms company, Kiszely said his role at the legion gave him access to important figures in defence, and described the annual remembrance events as a "tremendous networking opportunity".

He went on to claim that at other events, he found himself "standing there waiting for the Queen, with nothing else to talk about to [defence secretary] Philip Hammond than whatever".

He claimed he would be having Christmas with the armed forces minister Andrew Robathan. This was denied by the Ministry of Defence.

The allegations have prompted the legion to launch its own internal inquiry.

In a letter to the legion, Kiszely said he had made "exaggerated and foolish claims" about the access he had and how he could use it.

Another person caught in the sting was Lieutenant General Sir Richard Applegate, a former head of procurement at the Ministry of Defence. He is alleged to have said he successfully lobbied for an Israeli defence firm, even though he was banned from doing so under the rules set out by the advisory committee on business appointments (Acoba). The rules say former defence personnel cannot lobby for two years after they have retired.

Others fooled by the Sunday Times included Lord Dannatt, former head of the army; Admiral Trevor Soar, former head of the Royal Navy fleet; Lord Stirrup, former chief of the defence staff, and General Sir Mike Jackson, former head of the army.

(H)