Ex-soldier posted TikTok video while guarding late Queen because job was ‘pointless’
Jimmie Straughan says he uploaded clip to show ‘reality’ of life as a guardsman and claims he was treated badly by superiors
A former member of the Scots Guards posted a video of himself gyrating against his gun while guarding Queen Elizabeth II because he thought the job was “pointless”.
Jimmie Straughan, from Perth, Scotland, said that he posted the TikTok video to show the “reality” of life as a guardsman.
The clip showed the ex-soldier looking at ducks on the grounds of the palace and is heard saying: “I’m currently stood outside Windsor Castle. Meant to be looking after the Royal family. Currently staring at two ducks. Do I care? No.”
The clip also showed two figures standing within the grounds of Winsdor Castle. Mr Straughan claimed they were the late Queen and either her butler or her dog walker.
The video was recorded in March 2022 and uploaded two days ago. It now has almost 400,000 views. Warning – video contains strong language:
Mr Straughan, who was 22 when the filmed the video, told The Telegraph: “I never got in trouble for making the video, but I know that it was completely against the rules. Just having your phone with you on duty is against the rules.”
He was dismissed from the Armed Forces last year. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) source said that action cannot be taken against Mr Straughan unless he was deemed to have committed an offence under the Official Secrets Act because he is now a civilian.
An Army spokesman said: “Whilst we will not comment on this specific case, we do take disciplinary action against soldiers who have left the service where a criminal offence has occurred and it is in the service or public interest to do so.”
Mr Straughan, who was part of the F Company, Scots Guards, said he was angry with the Army and the Royal family about his experience as a guardsman and claims to have been treated badly by more senior members of staff.
He said: “I posted the video because my mates who are still in there are constantly complaining about how badly they are treated. They can’t win. You can’t reason with the Army even if you’re right.
“I saw my friends disciplined very harshly for things as small as checking their watch or not holding their arms at the right angle while on duty. They can’t tell me what to say or how to think and feel anymore.”
Mr Straughan was dismissed from the Army in April 2022 after failing a drugs test and is now backpacking in Australia.
Last May, six serving members of the Irish Guards were arrested on suspicion of dealing an illegal substance just days before the Platinum Jubilee, prompting an independent investigation by the Royal Military Police.
Mr Straughan alleged: “I never touched any Class A drugs before joining the Army. It is so common for royal guards to use cocaine. People were selling it in the barracks.
“I was sacked because I failed a random drugs test, and at the time I felt like my life was over. But now I think it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I am so glad that I got out.”
The Scots Guards is one of the five Foot Guards regiments of the British Army – together with the Welsh, Irish, Grenadier and Coldstream Guards – and was established as the personal bodyguard of King Charles I.
“The Royal Guard is pointless,” said Mr Straughan. “The job is prestigious and we bring in a huge amount of money for the tourism industry, but we stand there getting abused for less than minimum wage.
“I was constantly missing out on big days – birthdays, Christmas, New Year’s Eve all spent not seeing my family and we were treated like objects.”
Mr Straughan said that he joined the Army because he wanted to travel and see the world while learning skills that could “set me up for life”.
“Instead. I was stuck watching ducks all day and treated as less than human,” he said.
‘The Royal family never looked at us’
“I started my training in 2019 and was excited to get out into the real world, but I had no idea what was coming,” said Mr Straughan, who spent 18 months as a guardsman.
“Working during lockdown was particularly tough. We’d be on for seven days at a time and it was hard being away from family.
“The Royal family never even looked at us. One Christmas the chef didn’t turn up to cook for us, and we weren’t allowed to leave to go and buy food. Meanwhile, the Royal family was eating a few minutes away.”
An MoD spokesman said it was aware of an old video being circulated on social media.
“Soldiers will be held to account where their social media usage contravenes our values and standards, or they bring the Army into disrepute,” they said.
“This applies to all members of the Army, whether on duty, off duty or on leave and may result in administrative or disciplinary action.”
Responding to Mr Straughan’s allegations about drug use in royal guard barracks, an MoD spokesman said: “The Army does not tolerate drug abuse within its ranks and anyone caught dealing or taking drugs can expect to be discharged. We have a compulsory drug testing policy to reinforce this message and prevent its use.”