'NO APOLOGY WILL EVER BRING OUR DAUGHTER BACK'

The mother of Jaysley Beck, 19, demands 'change' after the soldier took her own life because the Army failed to properly deal with her harassment by superiors

- Chris Riches

THE tearful mother of Jaysley Beck said “no apology will bring our daughter back” as a coroner ruled she was failed by Army chiefs.

Gunner Jaysley, 19, was found hanged after one colleague harassed her with thousands of messages. Her mum Leighann said yesterday: “Things need to change. “Too often servicewomen and men don't feel able to speak up out of fear of being victimised and when they do, the Army is left to investigate itself." Calling on PM Sir Keir Starmer to set up independent investigations of future cases "of sexual harassment, assault, bullying and abuse", she went on: "This cannot continue.

"There needs to be an independent body responsible for investigating those more serious cases, completely separate from the Army - only then can we ensure true accountability, real justice and genuine change.

"Jaysley was so much more than a soldier - she was our daughter, a sister to Emily and a friend to so many.

"She was kind, caring and truly loved by everyone.

"She was full of life, bright and absolutely fantastic at her job.

"The Army itself has said, exactly the kind of person they wanted to join she should still be here. The coroner has made a number of extremely critical findings against the Army, that they have contributed to our daughter's death.