The Ministry of Defence was plunged into a fresh race row as a British Muslim soldier reportedly claimed he was called a “Paki” and throttled by a sergeant.
Days after it was revealed that Prince Harry will attend a diversity course over a separate race slur, a fellow serviceman alleged he received death threats during “horrific” abuse by another officer.
Family members of the 29-year-old alleged victim told the Daily Mirror he was in Afghanistan for an undercover intelligence mission when the incident took place.
The MoD confirmed that an employment tribunal was scheduled amid the claims as a cousin told the newspaper that bosses were “hanging him out to dry”.
The relative added: “The abuse he suffered was quite horrific. He was involved in sensitive intelligence work and we understand we can’t talk about that in the interests of security. But he feels frustrated that the perpetrators are not being exposed by the MoD.”
The UK-born victim, who cannot be named for security reasons, is now off sick with post-traumatic stress disorder - which he blames on a series of racial attacks, the family said.
An employment tribunal will hear his case later this year.
An MoD spokesman said: “These allegations will be considered by an employment tribunal and it is not appropriate to comment further until these proceedings have concluded.
”Neither the Army nor the Armed Forces tolerates inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form. All substantive allegations are investigated.”
The soldier, whose parents are Pakistani, attended training centres in Chicksands, Bedfordshire, and was taught the Afghan language Pashtu.
His undercover role involved him having to interpret, grow a beard and pass for a local, the paper claimed.
He was based at Lashkar Gar, Helmand Province, where many Taliban fighters are interrogated, when the alleged incident took place in March 2007.
Last week it was reported that Harry will be sent on an equality and diversity course after he called fellow officer Ahmed Raza Khan a “Paki”.
The offensive term was caught on video, as was his use of the jibe “raghead” at another officer cadet wearing a camouflage veil.
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