Ministry of Defence figures obtained by Labour indicate that the conviction rate for rape cases heard by courts martial was six times lower than in civilian courts.

In the six years to 2020 the conviction rate stood at nine per cent. There were 141 cases over that period of time.

Crown Prosecution Service figures show that between 2015-19, the conviction rate for rape was 59 per cent.

Seventy-six per cent of complainants in sexual offences cases last year were women. Seven in 10 complainants were privates.

Stephen Morgan, shadow armed forces minister, said: “Trying the most serious offences in civilian courts would help improve investigations and conviction rates … This is an issue that disproportionately affects women of lower ranks.”