Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for the media with the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future UK-EU relationship, in his office in the Houses of Parliament in London, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Opposition leader Corbyn says he is happy to sit down with Prime Minister Theresa May to work on a Brexit deal, even though "so far she hasn't shown much sign of compromise." The leader of the left-of-center Labour Party says "we recognize that she has made a move" and is willing to hold talks with May. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)
Republished April 03, 2019 - 7:18 AM
Original Publication Date April 03, 2019 - 3:31 AM
LONDON - Britain's military said Wednesday it was investigating "totally unacceptable behaviour" by some of its soldiers after they were filmed apparently using a picture of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for target practice.
Footage posted on social media showed members of the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan shooting at an image of Corbyn, Britain's main opposition leader.
Corbyn, a veteran socialist, has often been critical of British military campaigns overseas.
Brig. Nick Perry, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said "the video shows totally unacceptable behaviour and a serious error of judgment that falls far below what we expect of soldiers in our brigade."
He said the video was being "fully investigated."
"The army is and always will be a totally apolitical organization," he said.
The brigade has 400 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO deployment to train Afghan forces.
Labour defence spokeswoman Nia Griffith tweeted that the video was "shocking and completely unacceptable." She said it was "right that the Army is carrying out a full investigation."
Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat, a former soldier, said the video was "disgraceful."
British politicians have reported increased threats and fears for their safety amid heightened tensions over Brexit.
Last month, a man angry about Brexit was sentenced to 28 days in prison for hitting Corbyn with an egg.
In 2016, Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right extremist. A neo-Nazi was recently convicted of plotting to kill another Labour legislator.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019