How can former senior MPs and military officers bring themselves to work for security firms who provide armed forces in troubled parts of the world – often referred to as mercenaries?
A cynical friend replied – incorrectly – “People will do anything for money”.
When former cabinet minister in the Blair government, Paul Boateng, became the British High Commissioner in South Africa he repeatedly lobbied the Pretoria government about proposed anti-mercenary legislation which would prevent South Africans from joining foreign military forces.
The ANC-led government rejected Britain’s proposals, claiming that the bill would have created loopholes allowing South Africans not only to join foreign armies but also to become mercenaries with private security companies.
Paul Boateng left his post in South Africa to become a director of Aegis Defense Services, a private security company with overseas offices in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq and the USA. It is run by Tim Spicer, after the closing down of Sandline, which was in the news for its activities in Papua New Guinea and Sierra Leone.
An audit found several causes for concern, including a random survey of 20 Aegis employees issued with AK-47 and M4 assault rifles which showed that the company did not have the needed weapons training documentation for 14 of them. It was also alleged that a “trophy video” was posted on an Aegis employees website showing Aegis Defense personnel shooting Iraqi civilians as a form of entertainment.
Lord Inge, the former Chief of the Defence Staff, is now non-executive chairman of Aegis. He had to apologise to his peers for failing to declare an interest whilst advocating an increase in western military levels in Afghanistan, where Aegis forces are employed and where Aegis is paid by the US army to monitor and regulate those working for other private security contractors.
Time for change.
