The Guardian view on US military justice in Britain: a disturbing assault case should raise the alarm
The court martial system for personnel on overseas airbases serves US interests – but what about those of their host nations?
TL;DR
- A British woman, Sarah Steele, was assaulted by a US airman, Jacob Wulfson, in the UK.
- Wulfson was prosecuted in a US court martial rather than the British justice system, despite the crime occurring off-duty and off-base.
- The case has raised concerns about the application and scope of a 1951 agreement that allows the US to prosecute its personnel in certain cases.
- British authorities are often deferring to US military jurisdiction, even when cases involve British victims and occur outside US bases.
- There are calls for greater transparency, accountability, and victim consultation when British authorities allow the US military to take over cases.