A senior British Army officer who played a leading role in the Covid-19 response will stand trial in 2023 over claims of a £43,000 school fees fraud.
Retired colonel Marcus Reedman, 50, whose last posting was as deputy director of the government’s pandemic task force, allegedly dishonestly failed to disclose a change in circumstances to the Ministry of Defence between October 2016 and May 2017.
Appearing at Southwark crown court on Friday, Reedman did not enter a plea to the single count of fraud as his trial was set for May 8, 2023.
Reedman reached the rank of acting Brigadier by the time of his retirement, and has been pictured alongside former Prime Minister David Cameron and the Prince of Wales during his distinguished military career.
He is accused of a fraudulent claim for Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), which is aimed at helping children of service personnel to remain at the same school during their parents’ different postings.
It is said Reedman failed to tell the MoD that he was “no longer serving accompanied at your residence” when CEA rules include that a spouse must not be away from the home for more than 90 days per year.
He allegedly accepted three payments totalling £43,470 over the course of a school year.
Reedman appeared in the dock this morning for the hearing, when Judge Tony Baumgartner set the trial date and a further preliminary hearing on November 14.
Reedman, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has been released on unconditional bail.
