🚨 Former Major Loses MBE Over School Fees Fraud 🚨
Lloyd Hamilton, once a celebrated Army major and charity founder, has been stripped of his MBE following a shocking fraud conviction. Hamilton, from Neyland, Pembrokeshire, was originally honoured for his work in helping wounded soldiers sail again. However, this month, he has been removed from the Queen’s 2011 Honours list after being found guilty of scamming nearly £13,000 from taxpayers.
Back in 2021, Hamilton’s world turned upside down when he was caught illegally claiming an allowance for his children’s education at Queen Ethelburga’s, a posh boarding school. The allowance was intended for military members whose families live with them on overseas postings. But when his marriage fell apart, his wife didn’t join him in Cyprus, making his claim fraudulent.
With his personal life in tatters, Hamilton tried to defend his actions as a result of a “mid-life crisis.” However, he was dismissed from the Army and received a suspended prison sentence of three months along with 150 hours of community service.
Hamilton’s case recently went before the UK honours system’s forfeiture committee, which decided his actions had brought disrepute to the esteemed list. The King approved this decision, and Hamilton is now among nine people to have their honours removed this month. Another high-profile case was that of former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg, who faced a domestic abuse conviction.
Hamilton had previously earned military medals for service in Iraq and the former Yugoslavia and founded the now-closed charity, Toe in the Water, which aimed to help injured soldiers through sailing.
A stark reminder that actions have consequences, no matter past achievements! ⚖️⛵️