THE ARMY says it has taken steps to remind a unit of its diversity policy after a soldier “blacked up” as a Zulu warrior at an official Army Christmas dinner in December.

Now-deleted Instagram photos showed troops at a “fancy dress” competition looking on as a colleague in black body paint paraded on a dinner table. The soldier was pictured smirking while holding a traditional Zulu spear and shield.

The images also showed another soldier wearing a shell suit and dressed as paedophile Jimmy Savile.

The photos were taken at the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery’s barracks on Thorney Island in West Sussex.

Yesterday, a British Army spokesman told The Argus it had conducted a “thorough investigation”.

But the Army refused to specify what action was taken, and would not reveal whether anyone had been disciplined.

It initially said it could not release “personal information.” A spokesman then said: “Following a thorough investigation the unit has taken steps to ensure that the Army’s comprehensive equality and diversity programme is foremost in all its personnel.”

The Argus has now submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out if any disciplinary action was taken after the dinner.

The story caused outcry when it hit the headlines last year. The Zulu are a Bantu ethnic group from Southern Africa. The British Army was responsible for killing thousands of Zulu people. In 1879, its troops fought to allow the British Empire to take control of South Africa’s gold and diamond mines.

Former DJ Savile raped and sexually abused dozens of children over five decades from 1959. A 2016 review found there had been more than 70 victims, including eight who were raped. One was eight years old.

In December, the Army stated were “procedures for dealing with all forms of unacceptable behaviour” if standards had been breached.

On Monday, an Army spokesman told The Argus: “We are not able to comment on any action taken. There is a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal information of all individuals and personal information about any individual may only be released where there is a lawful reason.

“All personnel receive annual diversity and inclusivity training and are taught what constitutes unacceptable behaviour and how to report it. Any allegation of unacceptable behaviour raised to the attention of the Chain of Command will be investigated accordingly.

“As a modern inclusive employer the Army will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any form and there are robust procedures for dealing with it.”