However, lack of scrutiny is not only a problem affecting “special forces”. The armed forces are the only organisations in the UK that are allowed to maintain their own police forces and to run their own criminal trials in their own courts. The culture of “support our boys” means that politicians are frightened of being seen to be even mildly critical of the armed forces. Alongside the medieval keep of Richmond Castle was the cell block which housed imprisoned conscientious objectors in the first world war. Clive BarrettChair, The Peace Museum, Bradford• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

Source: The Guardian April 26, 2018 16:30 UTC