Bribes inquiry at Sandhurst

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into allegations that Army instructors at Sandhurst Royal Military College in Berkshire took "huge bribes" from overseas cadets in return for better grades.

Non-commissioned officers at Britain's leading military academy are said to have accepted BMW and Mercedes cars, Rolex watches and foreign holidays. An MoD spokesman confirmed that the Royal Military Police were investigating a "number of allegations raised by some overseas officer cadets". "The issue is in connection with the acceptance of gifts in contravention of Queen's regulations for the Army," he said.

The men are believed to have been taken temporarily into custody before being allowed to go back to work while the investigation takes place.

About 10 per cent of the 600 cadets attending Sandhurst each year are from overseas. In previous years some have given instructors presents after the passing-out parade. But it is alleged that some have made gifts before the parade in the hope of having their grades boosted.