MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands population “shocked” at Defence Chief's suspension.

The Falklands population are reeling at the news of the suspension of the local head of the Falklands Islands Defence Force (FIDF), Major Marvin Clarke. In the 110 years of the existence of the local Falklands Defence Army, never previously has the Commanding Officer faced such a humiliating experience and during a public meeting held in Port Stanley on Tuesday evening, Falklands Councillors refused to discuss the suspension of Major Clarke.

However in a statement released from Government House, Governor Donald Lamont said, ?I have removed Major Clarke temporarily from command of the FIDF while investigations are undertaken into allegations against him'. The Governor went on to confirm that it was a police investigation and involves the Force's accounts.

Hundreds of spectators who paid homage to Queen Elizabeth 2nd on her 75th birthday at a Parade in Stanley were shocked to see that Major Clarke had been replaced as Parade Commander by Captain Peter Biggs the Islands Income Tax officer, and Major Clarke was nowhere to be seen.

The Falkland Islands Defence Force provides essential back-up to the British Troops, who are stationed in the Islands, in providing defence against any unwanted aggressor, and recently a new Head Quarters building reported to cost in excess of £1.2 million sterling has been constructed outside of Stanley. The local volunteers are highly trained in warfare and on many occasions have exhibited their skill in marching and shooting competitions, defeating the 1,500 professional soldiers of the British Army who are stationed on the Islands.

However Major Clarke is not divorced from controversy himself, and recently he was criticized in an official Government report after a young local volunteer soldier, who was deemed to be inappropriate for Military service, broke into the armoury and stole weapons and ammunition and was subsequently involved in a ?shoot-out' with police. The suspended Major Clarke ignored advice from another senior officer that the volunteer was not suitable to serve in the Defence Force, and to the amazement of most of the Islands population he did not, as anticipated, resign as Commanding Officer.