The Undercover Soldier
| The Undercover Soldier | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Current affairs |
| Presented by | Russell Sharp |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Clive Edwards |
| Producer(s) | Karen Wightman |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One |
| Original release | 18 September 2008 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
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.
