British Army apologises to Black 'poster girl' soldier for racist, sexist abuse

A former British Army soldier, Kerry-Ann Knight has received a settlement and an apology after taking her case to an employment tribunal. She had been subjected to racist and sexist abuse during her 12-year career, which she claimed forced her out of the role she loved.

Kerry-Ann Knight, 33, was featured on a recruitment poster during her training, depicted with the words “Your army needs you and your self-belief.” Knight initially believed the army would provide stability, a supportive community and a promising career. She hoped to pave the way for other young Black women. However, after 12 years of service, Knight’s aspirations were shattered. She endured over a decade of racist and sexist abuse, ultimately being forced out of her beloved role.

Knight joined the 26 Regiment Royal Artillery (26 RA) at 20 and was posted to Germany. In her witness statement, she described serving alongside individuals who supported extremist groups and recounted being called derogatory names and facing graphic, offensive graffiti, according to the report of the Guardian.

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“One evening I returned to my room to see someone had drawn images of huge black penises all over the wardrobes in my room,” the Guardian cited the statement saying.

When Knight appeared on the recruitment poster, she thought it was due to her training achievements, unaware she was the only Black woman in the regiment.  “I didn’t know it was because I was going to be the only Black woman in that regiment,” she told the Guardian. “I didn’t know what I was in for.”

When she signed up for the campaign, Knight said, she had “this bright hope that I’m helping to change things”. In promotional materials, she looks happy and excited – “but when I turned up to the unit, that wasn’t my lived experience”, she told the Guardian.

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“There was a lot of sexism,. However, when you put race into play, as well, for me, it just felt like it was multiplied by 10.”

In 2021, Knight became an instructor at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, hoping for a better environment. Yet, she faced continuous harassment, including racial slurs and threats. Colleagues mocked her with racist remarks and references to brutal scenes from the film “Django Unchained.”

Knight tried to address the abuse through informal and formal complaints, providing evidence such as WhatsApp screenshots and audio recordings. However, after filing a formal complaint at AFC Harrogate, she was removed from her role under the pretext of protecting her mental and emotional well-being.

“I think when it got to that stage, that’s when I just realised that the army is institutionally racist,” Knight told the Guardian. “And they would go above and beyond to discredit me as an individual, to protect the army image, to portray that racism doesn’t exist, even though it was there in black and white.”

In December 2022, with support from the Centre for Military Justice and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Knight sought legal advice.

Emma Norton, Knight’s solicitor criticised the army’s approach, saying that it targeted Knight for her complaints rather than addressing the issues. EHRC Chair Kishwer Falkner emphasised the British army’s duty to protect employees from discrimination as a major employer and public authority.

An MoD spokesperson reiterated the army’s zero-tolerance policy for abuse and discrimination, asserting that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and addressed. The MoD settled Knight’s claim in June without admitting liability.