Adjutant General responds to media allegations on Army housing
The Adjutant General Sir Freddy Viggers, has today, Wednesday 9 may 2007, responded to allegations in the media that taxpayers money was spent on refurbishing his home while soldiers lived in sub-standard housing.
In letters sent to the Sunday Times, The mail on Sunday and the Daily Mirror, Sir Freddie has requested that the newspapers print a retraction of articles that he believes contained serious and damaging errors. All three newspapers claimed he was the person responsible for Army housing, which they also alleged is in crisis. They also claimed the MoD house he occupies had undergone a major refit. Both allegations Sir Freddie adamantly refutes. He said:
"I am not responsible for the management of Army housing and have not been blamed for what is described as the housing crisis. The house that I am occupying has not been subject to a lavish refit, is not provided on a grace and favour basis and I have not ordered, nor am I able to order, anyone to do anything to the house."
In his letter, Sir Freddie stated he did not live in the MoD property by choice but for security reasons and to enable him to carry out his official duties:
"I was allocated this house in the middle of 2005, shortly after I assumed my appointment as Adjutant General. The house was built in the 1920s and has been occupied by senior Army officers since then, it will continue to be after I leave it.
"The money that has been spent on the house since I have been the tenant has been authorised by the appropriate MoD authority. I has been used to replace items that were broken, dangerous or deficient and there has been no major painting and decorating programme.
"No-one who occupies military accommodation pays rents at the market rate. The rent I pay reflects the condition of the house, which is below the best official standard of repair."
A copy of this letter has also been sent to the Press Complaints Commission.
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