RAF's apology to dismissed airman

A Taunton airman, dismissed from the RAF because of his sexuality, has received an official apology after his case was raised in Parliament by Gideon Anos MP.

 

In a ceremony at County Hall on Friday, Mark Shephard was presented with his Restorative Measures by Mr Amos.

 

Mark was among those affected by the now-defunct ban on LGBT people serving in the British military between 1967 and 2000.

 

They are now receiving official recognition and an apology for the unjust treatment they endured during their service.

 

Mr Amos said he had been honoured and humbled to be asked to take up Mark’s case. He later added: “What happened should never have happened to you.”

 

The RAF was represented at the ceremony by Flight Lieutenant Chris Smale, co-chair of its LGBTQ+ Network.

 

He played two videos – from the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, and Director of People, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards – apologising for the way those affected had been treated.

 

Flight Lieutenant Smale told Mark: “Without the struggle you went through, I wouldn’t be able to wear the uniform and stand before you today, so thank you from me, personally.

 

After the videos, he added: “Welcome back to the veterans’ family.”

 

Mr Amos presented Mark with a commemorative box containing a signed apology letter from the Chief of the Air Staff, a new beret and cap badge, along with the Etherton Ribbon, which was designed by LGBT veterans, current serving LGBT personnel, and charity representatives.

 

Mark was a Senior Aircraftman Technician when asked to leave the RAF in 1999.

 

“I had two choices - to leave immediately or put in my PVR (Premature Voluntary Release).

 

“As I had just had my bonus, I had no choice but to put in my PVR. I had just bought a new car with the money and, if I left immediately, I had to pay the money back.

 

“To be honest, I felt numb as, after that first meeting, I had no contact with anyone senior.

 

“I had to carry on regardless, knowing I was being forced to leave.

 

“I didn’t tell any friends or family until recently which was obviously a massive shock as they thought I had left of my own accord.

 

“When I joined, I didn’t even know my sexuality was not permitted in the service.

 

“I’m very happy that I have been welcomed back into the RAF family – even though, after I left, I continued working for the military until this day without any issues regarding my sexuality.

 

“Today’s ceremony was a really nice and intimate chance for me and my family to celebrate my time in the RAF.

 

“I would like to thank Gideon and everyone else involved who helped to enable today’s event and him speaking about me in Parliament was amazing.

 

“I won’t forget everything that has been done.”

 

Mark is currently working for Aquila at RNAS Yeovilton as a system support engineer for Air Traffic Control systems in the Southwest of England.