Updated: 29 Jan 2021, 9:27
TWO of the Queen’s elite bodyguards have been arrested by the Flying Squad on suspicion of stealing ammunition.
The pair were detained following raids by firearms officers and the Royal Military Police.
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Kirtland Gill is the most senior enlisted soldier in the crack Coldstream GuardsCredit: Jon Bond - The Sun
One of the arrested soldiers is understood to be Kirtland Gill, the most senior enlisted soldier in the crack Coldstream Guards.
It is understood Sgt Maj Gill denies any wrong-doing.
The fisherman’s son from Jamaica made headlines when he became the first black soldier to reach the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major in a promotion announced last year.
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A police spokesman said: ‘A man in his 30s and a man in his 40s were arrested on suspicion of possession of ammunition and conspiracy to steal. They have been taken to a nearby police station where they remain in custody.’
An MoD spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that two soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. We are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.’
Last night troops were warned not to speculate about the case.
The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army. The Army’s website describes it as ‘well-known for its high-profile ceremonial duties – but it’s an infantry unit first and foremost, with a hard-won reputation as an elite fighting force’.
It happened at about 10 miles north of Basingstoke. The unmarked vehicle was travelling from the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site at Burghfield to Aldermaston last Monday. Police were alerted after a resident saw 9mm live bullets scattered over the road. However, police have not been able to retrieve all the bullets. The area was cordoned off and sniffer dogs were deployed to find the missing ammunition. An MOD spokesperson said: We can confirm that a quantity of small calibre ammunition fell from a Ministry of Defence Police vehicle while in transit on Monday afternoon. We immediately took steps to recover the ammunition and quickly accounted for the vast majority of rounds.
1,000 rounds of ammunition roll out of unmarked police car in West Berkshire country lane
Bullets still unaccounted for following incident on Monday
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An unmarked police vehicle lost 1,000 rounds of live ammunition while travelling to Aldermaston last Monday, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed.
The 9mm bullets were being transported from the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site at Burghfield.
Police were alerted to the incident after a passer-by saw the bullets scattered over the lane and immediately called 999.
The area was cordoned off and sniffer dogs were brought in to retrieve the ammunition.
A handful of bullets remain unaccounted for.