THE British army has now completed training a Gulf dictatorship’s all-female bodyguard unit, the Morning Star can reveal.

The training has taken place over the last month and involved at least eight soldiers from the Royal Military Police, most of them female.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson told the Morning Star:

“There is an ongoing terrorist threat in Bahrain, including from groups that have declared UK military personnel as legitimate targets.

“It is wholly appropriate that the UK supports Bahrain in protecting its political leaders and royal family members, some of whom also serve in the military.”

It is believed to be the first all-female bodyguard unit in the Gulf, which the MoD claims is necessary due to “cultural sensitivies.”

Last night the department also alleged Bahrain was at the cutting edge of feminism and diversity in the Middle East. 

The authoritarian monarchy, which is propped up by sexist Saudi Arabia, houses a British naval base.

The vast majority of anti-government activists in Bahrain are peaceful despite enduring decades of brutal repression.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) said the training was “highly concerning.”

Mr Alwadaei added: “The Ministry of Defence appears to be either subsidising or providing training to the Royal Guards under a veil of secrecy. 

“The Ministry of Defence must be transparent about these programmes and the risk assessments they have conducted given Bahrain’s appalling human rights record. 

“This level of cooperation indicates why Britain remains stubbornly silent on the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain.”