Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Woman in Army HIV scare seeks apology after test proves `negative'

Esther Leach
Friday 19 December 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

One of two women at the centre of an Aids alert at one of the Army's biggest bases said yesterday that tests had proved she was free of the HIV virus.

Lindsey Griffiths, 19, said that in the light of the blood test results she was demanding an apology from the Army. The deputy commander of Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, Colonel Neil Donaldson, had given a warning to troops of a significant risk to their health from "females known to be liberal with their affections to soldiers", and believed to be HIV positive.

Yesterday, the Army issued a statement saying that the identity of the women was not known to it, nor had it speculated on their identity.

It added: "The Army has a duty of care to warn its soldiers of possible health risks and hence issued confidential and written warnings. The welfare of soldiers is a priority and it is for that reason the statement was issued."

Ms Griffiths, who says she has a steady boyfriend, said: "I think an apology is the least they owe me after what I have been put through. I never thought I had the virus but once the rumour starts people will believe anything."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in