Senior Officer Refuses to Answer Key Questions in Inquest of Soldier's Death

The inquest into the death of 19-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck highlights allegations of misconduct and harassment within the Army.

Gunner Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old Royal Artillery soldier, was found dead in her room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in December 2021, with an inquest now underway to investigate circumstances surrounding her death.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Michael Webber, accused of attempting to kiss Beck during a July 2021 incident on Thorney Island, declined to answer multiple questions at the inquest, citing potential self-incrimination.
Beck had reported feeling frightened after the incident, which included allegations that Webber engaged her in a drinking game, grabbed her leg, and attempted to kiss her multiple times, prompting her to lock herself in her car overnight.
An Army service inquiry report from 2023 identified an intense period of unwelcome behavior from another senior colleague, Bombardier Ryan Mason, as a likely contributing factor to Beck's death, alongside other personal challenges.
The inquest has raised questions about the Army's handling of the incidents, as Webber faced only minor administrative action and was later promoted despite the allegations of misconduct.