Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what regulations and sanctions there are related to the impersonation of armed forces personnel (a) for financial gain, (b) to compromise security or gain access to his Department's property, (c) for other material gain and (d) for enhanced social standing.

There is no sanction regarding anyone claiming to have a particular military rank or post-nominals, unless in the commission of fraud. The wearing of uniforms by persons not entitled is an offence under the Uniforms Act of 1894. The wearing of any rank badge or unit insignia/tactical recognition flash by anyone not in uniform would be meaningless. Any act of impersonating military personnel in pursuit of financial or other material gain would fall under the provisions of the Fraud Act. Falsely obtaining access to Departmental property, by no matter what means, might be prosecutable under the Official Secrets Act 1911; Bylaws passed under the Military Lands Acts 1892; or Section 128 or 129 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

There is at present no sanction for anyone pretending to military rank in order to enhance their social standing.