Meria
Elder Lister
Around 650 British soldiers were confined to their barracks in Kenya after dozens of troops who'd visited prostitutes sought medical advice, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The lockdown was ordered by their furious commanding officer after up to 100 personnel used the services of sex workers who set up temporary brothels near their base.
The soldiers, of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment battlegroup, were in east Africa taking part in Exercise Askari Storm.
Based at Laikipia air base, troops took part in the simulated rescue of up to 400 people in a mock overseas crisis which involved parachuting into Mount Kenya National Park.
The jump was followed by six weeks of training for soldiers from 3 Para along with engineers, signallers, medics and logisticians from across 16 Air Assault Brigade.
After being given leave, however, scores are said to have used the services of prostitutes in the nearby town of Nanyuki.
At least 30 soldiers later reported to 3 Para's medical centre saying they feared they may have contracted HIV or a sexually transmitted disease after having unprotected sex.
In response their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Swann, ordered every soldier regardless of rank to remain on the base until they returned to Britain this weekend.
The lockdown was ordered by their furious commanding officer after up to 100 personnel used the services of sex workers who set up temporary brothels near their base.
The soldiers, of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment battlegroup, were in east Africa taking part in Exercise Askari Storm.
Based at Laikipia air base, troops took part in the simulated rescue of up to 400 people in a mock overseas crisis which involved parachuting into Mount Kenya National Park.
The jump was followed by six weeks of training for soldiers from 3 Para along with engineers, signallers, medics and logisticians from across 16 Air Assault Brigade.
After being given leave, however, scores are said to have used the services of prostitutes in the nearby town of Nanyuki.
At least 30 soldiers later reported to 3 Para's medical centre saying they feared they may have contracted HIV or a sexually transmitted disease after having unprotected sex.
In response their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Swann, ordered every soldier regardless of rank to remain on the base until they returned to Britain this weekend.
