YOU'D need to be barking mad to believe that the COs and NCOs don't know what is going on inside 42 Royal Marine (or at Deepcut).

Nothing changes. In 1958/9 at Hilsea Barracks, Portsmouth, we had a basic training NCO who left camp at 3pm every Friday, one hour earlier than the rest of the staff.

This 'nod' from the CO down was to reduce chances of him being beaten up (off camp/off duty) by other staff NCOs because of his sadistic treatment of his National Service squads.

The point was, protecting the 'good name' of the regiment' unit was more important than protecting the rank and file.

The denials will be trundled out for as long as it takes the public and the media to lose interest.

The RMP know the score and condone what they can't change.

That video will come as no surprise to those who know how the sadists/cowards/bullies hide behind 'rank' and how they are 'tolerated' by misguided loyalty.

D PRATT (Mr), Plantation Street, Accrington.