NI colonel suspended

Col Varley was an assistant chief of staff at Thiepval Barracks

A senior Army officer in Northern Ireland has been suspended over allegations he revealed military secrets on the internet.

The action was taken against Colonel Mark Varley following alleged revelations in a national newspaper on Monday.

The 45-year-old is a former assistant chief of staff at the Army's headquarters in Lisburn, County Antrim.

His suspension was triggered by allegations by a woman that she had an affair with Colonel Varley while he was in charge of the Royal Logistics Corps in Northern Ireland.

The Army is investigating allegations of improper behaviour by the Welsh father-of-two on an internet webcam.

Colonel Varley was one of two assistant chiefs of staff based at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence in London said: "We take any allegations of impropriety or security breaches very seriously.

"We will investigate these claims and take disciplinary action if appropriate."

Col Varley left Lisburn earlier this month after serving two years in Northern Ireland.