Labour MPs call for an inquiry into death of soldier whose body went undiscovered for three weeks


Marcus Barnett
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Morning Star

HORRIFIED Labour MPs have backed a family’s call for answers into the death of a soldier whose body was left undiscovered at his base for three weeks.

MPs Navendu Mishra (Stockport) and Paula Barker (Liverpool Wavertree) have joined the calls for justice for Bernard Mongan, a 33-year-old lance corporal and Iraq war veteran.

Mongan was found dead at Catterick army garrison, North Yorkshire, on January 23. However, his family and local police say that he died several weeks earlier.

Mr Mongan was last active on his phone on January 2, and authorities said that his body was so badly decomposed that he could not be recognised.

He was not reported as Absent Without Leave throughout this period.

The Star understands that Mr Mongan, who was an Irish traveller, had been physically attacked because of his accent.

In an online petition, Mr Mongan’s mother Mary said that his family are “hoping to get all the right answers.”

She said: “I am now left heartbroken and have to say goodbye to my precious son without any answers or closure for myself.

“We are all completely heartbroken and are afraid we might never heal or recover from this, especially with no answers.”

Mr Mishra told the Morning Star: “Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan served his country with courage and calm, yet after his death is being treated abhorrently by the authorities.

“His family and his community have lost a loved one in cruel circumstances that have been made crueller by official silence.

“A full investigation must be held into the circumstances that resulted in Mr Mongan’s death, which must take into the account instances of anti-traveller bigotry and violence he experienced at the hands of some of his colleagues, and how his body was left undiscovered until three weeks after his death.”

Mrs Barker said: “I am horrified at the death of soldier Bernard Mongan, who was serving his country.

“There must be a full investigation into Mr Mongan’s death. My sincere condolences go to Mr Mongan’s widow and wider family.”

The British Army is refusing to comment on the wider circumstances of Mr Mongan’s death
 

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