Almost 10% of entire military personnel unable to work due to coronavirus

Scale of infections will not affect armed forces' work with NHS and government ministries, say defence officials

More than 13,000 members of the UK’s armed forces have been unable to report for duty because of coronavirus isolation, with around a hundred testing positive.

The figures equate to around 9.1 per cent of the total number of regular and reserve personnel.

Some of those quarantined, because they or family members show symptoms of the disease, or due to looking after vulnerable people, are working from home.

The figures came as it was revealed that Ministry of Defence is changing its standing orders in an attempt to avoid the type of controversy which has unfolded in other countries over the treatment of service personnel at risk from the disease.

The captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is due to sail later this month, will be given the authority to bring the ship back if there is an outbreak of the virus. He will not need to seek permission from the Ministry of Defence in London as he would have had to in the past.

It is hoped this will prevent embarrassing scenarios like one involving the US and French aircraft carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt and Charles De Gaulle.

The captain of the Therodore Roosevelt was fired after he sent an email asking for urgent action to try and stop a Covid-19 outbreak on his ship from affecting more of his crew.

The sacking of Captain Brett E Crozier led to a storm of protest. The acting US Navy secretary, Thomas Modly, who took the decision to do so had to resign himself after flying to the aircraft carrier to deliver a speech highly insulting towards Captain Crozier and criticising the crew for supporting their skipper.

Donald Trump initially criticised Captain Crozier, but following the public outcry over the sacking, the US president changed his tune saying he did not want the officer’s career ruined.

Around 668 out of a crew of 2,000 on board the Charles De Gaulle were infected with Covid-19. According to reports in French media the ship’s captain had requested that the deployment to the Atlantic in mid-March should be put off, but the request was refused.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “HMS Queen Elizabeth is sailing to conduct sea training, required as preparation for further training later this year and which together will ensure that she is ready for deployment in 2021.

“The continuation of this training has been agreed by senior leaders across Defence. She will be operating in waters close to the UK coast and the commanding officer has the discretion to cease the training, if deemed necessary.”

Speaking about the infections in the UK armed forces, Labour’s shadow defence secretary, John Healey, said: “These concerning figures make Labour’s case for greater protections and more testing of forces personnel even stronger.

“Our armed forces keep us safe. It is vital we do the same for them.”

Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson, Jamie Stone MP, said: ”News that 13,000 armed force personnel are currently absent due to the pandemic is deeply concerning.

“They have been crucial to our response to the pandemic, providing specialists to local resilience groups, our local authorities, and emergency services. Our armed forces must have all the PPE they need and access to testing if they are to effectively combat coronavirus. It is not enough to say thank you.”