The Undercover Soldier
The Undercover Soldier | |
---|---|
Genre | Current affairs |
Presented by | Russell Sharp |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Production | |
Executive producer | Clive Edwards |
Producer | Karen Wightman |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | BBC One |
Release | 18 September 2008 |
The Undercover Soldier is a 2008 BBC documentary which investigated bullying in the British Army in the wake of the Deepcut enquiry. For the programme, BBC journalist Russell Sharp went undercover as a soldier, enrolling in the army for six months basic training at the Infantry Training Centre, at the Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire.[1] The one-hour programme was shown on BBC One on Thursday 18 September 2008 at 9:00pm.
The programme did not show any filmed evidence of ill treatment, although Sharp himself claimed to have witnessed several incidents of bullying.[2] The documentary led to the suspension of five instructors based at the camp.[3][4] The show attracted relatively low ratings and the BBC was criticised by serving soldiers for the way the investigation was conducted.[5]
References
- ^ Sharp, Russell (18 September 2008). "'I did two jobs - reporter and soldier'". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ Kay, John (26 September 2008). "You're in the Army now". The Sun. London. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ Hutchinson, Sophie (18 September 2008). "Army trainers suspended from role". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ Jenkins, Russell (19 September 2008). "Five Army instructors suspended over bullying claims at Catterick". London: Times Online. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ "Soldiers hit back at BBC investigation into base". Northern Echo. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
External links