Ministry of Defence issues statement over Covid outbreak at Army Foundation College in Harrogate

Shadow Defence Minister MP Stephen Morgan earlier today said he believed there to be more than 100 cases at the training camp, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now confirmed this to be "fewer than 40".

An MoD spokesperson also said "it is incorrect to suggest we are not coping with the situation" after Mr Morgan called on the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to "take the necessary steps to contain the outbreak".

"Fewer than 40 personnel at the Army Foundation College are isolating after testing positive for Covid-19," the MoD spokesperson said.

"None of these individuals currently require medical treatment and it is incorrect to suggest we are not coping with the situation.

“The British Army takes the health and wellbeing of our personnel very seriously and have been providing lateral flow testing, robust social distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect personnel and prevent further infections.”

The Labour Party and union officials had also raised concerns over the movement of recruits in and out the Uniacke Barracks during lockdown.

However, the MoD has confirmed trainees will not be departing on leave over half-term and will remain at the college over this period.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter