Women ‘highly likely’ suffered unlawful harassment in Red Arrows, inquiry finds

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

admin

Women would “highly likely” suffer unlawful harassment in the Red Arrows because of their sex, raising concerns the squadron was not a “safe environment” for them, an inquiry has found.

Predatory and other forms of unacceptable behaviour by male members of the team was widespread and “normalised”, with women viewed as the “property” of an individual or the squadron, according to the devastating findings that were published on Wednesday.

Unacceptable behaviour was so prevalent that servicewomen would club together in “shark watch” mode on social events to try to protect each other from drunken, unwanted advances.

There was also a “bystander culture” on the squadron – all the way up the chain of command – meaning bad behaviour went “unchecked”, the report said.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the head of the Royal Air Force, said he was “appalled” at what had been uncovered by the non-statutory inquiry into unacceptable behaviour on the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, better known as the Red Arrows.

He offered his “unreserved apologies” to those who suffered during a period that spanned from 2017 until 2021, in particular three women who he said had raised the alarm to the previous chief of the air staff two years ago.

Two Red Arrows pilots have already been sacked because of their actions.

A further nine personnel have faced varying forms of administrative action, including over what was described as “command, leadership and management” failings, the RAF revealed.

Separate to the inquiry, it emerged a person “associated with the Red Arrows” was convicted of battery in a court martial over smacking the bottom of a female colleague.

That incident happened in 2020, according to an RAF spokesperson.

Some of the key findings

Offering details about the biggest scandal to engulf the Red Arrows in its more than 60-year history, the inquiry found:

• Two incidents of “exposure of genitals”, but noted a “lack of offence… which suggests exposure of genitals and nakedness is normalised in a military environment”
• Several extramarital relationships, between a senior married individual and someone more junior, including those that impacted operational effectiveness and safety
• An alcohol-focused culture, with unacceptable behaviour often linked to booze and alcohol consumption also raising flight safety concerns
• Incidents of bullying

Head of RAF – ‘I am sorry’

Presenting the findings in a 76-page report, Air Chief Marshal Knighton said: “I am sorry and offer my unreserved apologies to any individuals that were subjected to unacceptable behaviours during their association with the Red Arrows, particularly the three women who felt they had no option but to raise their complaints directly with my predecessor.”

Much of the details collected in the inquiry, which heard evidence from more than 40 witnesses, were redacted.

However, the air chief, who had read the unredacted version, condemned the behaviours that were described, without giving details to protect the identities of the complainants.

He said: “I was appalled when I read the investigations’ findings. The behaviour of a minority of individuals has harmed the squadron’s reputation and that of the Royal Air Force… I am intent on rebuilding public trust in one of our highest profile units.”

The Red Arrows squadron comprises around 110 personnel, including pilots and ground crew.

The crisis around what has been described as a “toxic culture” meant – given the sacking of two pilots – that the team has not been operating with the “Diamond Nine” formation of nine Hawk aircraft since 2022. It went down to seven jets, then rebounded to eight this season and is only set to return to nine in 2024.

Despite the damning findings, Air Chief Marshal Knighton said he had not considered disbanding the Red Arrows.

Inquiry recommendations

The inquiry recommended a number of moves, such as focus groups to help change the culture, which the head of the air force said had been accepted and in many places implemented already.

The lack of clarity over the sanctions and the fact that only two pilots were sacked will raise criticism from those impacted.

A second report, released simultaneously with the non-statutory inquiry, explored management and leadership failings by the chain of command in the Red Arrows and more senior levels within the RAF, though the names of those sanctioned were not released.

Setting out its findings, a review team that conducted the non-statutory inquiry, said it was “concerned that the Sqn [squadron] was not a safe environment for females and that it was highly likely that females would be subject to unlawful harassment because of their sex”.

Unwanted behaviour

The types of behaviours described included: Unwanted physical contact; unwanted text messages outside work hours or perceived to be of a sexual nature and unwanted comments about their appearance.

There was also “male sexual entitlement towards the females; being viewed as ‘property’ of either individuals or the Sqn”.

As to how the women on the squadron coped, the inquiry said they had “normalised” the behaviour and had even “got used to it”.

“Female SP [service personnel] naturally supported each other and reported modifying their behaviours to reduce the risk of being subject of UB [unacceptable behaviour] or ensuring that they would be believed if they needed to report an incident.”

The modifying behaviour was listed as: “Going to social situations as a group with ‘shark watch’ in operation within their cohort; limiting the amount of alcohol consumed in order to be able to respond effectively if they were subject to UB and to ensure their account would be believed and not dismissed due to consumption of alcohol; and modifying what they wear.”

UK

Specialist teams and online investigators deployed across England and Wales to tackle ‘national emergency’ of violence against women and girls

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

admin

Specialist teams and online investigators deployed across England and Wales to tackle 'national emergency' of violence against women and girls

Specialist investigation teams for rape and sexual offences are to be created across England and Wales as the Home Secretary declares violence against women and girls a “national emergency”.

Shabana Mahmood said the dedicated units will be in place across every force by 2029 as part of Labour’s violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy due to be launched later this week.

The use of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), which had been trialled in several areas, will also be rolled out across England and Wales. They are designed to target abusers by imposing curfews, electronic tags and exclusion zones.

The orders cover all forms of domestic abuse, including economic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, stalking and ‘honour’-based abuse. Breaching the terms can carry a prison term of up to 5 years.

Nearly £2m will also be spent funding a network of officers to target offenders operating within the online space.

Teams will use covert and intelligence techniques to tackle violence against women and girls via apps and websites.

A similar undercover network funded by the Home Office to examine child sexual abuse has arrested over 1,700 perpetrators.

Abuse is ‘national emergency’

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement: “This government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency.

“For too long, these crimes have been considered a fact of life. That’s not good enough. We will halve it in a decade.

“Today we announce a range of measures to bear down on abusers, stopping them in their tracks. Rapists, sex offenders and abusers will have nowhere to hide.”

The target to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is a Labour manifesto pledge.

The government said the measures build on existing policy, including facial recognition technology to identify offenders, improving protections for stalking victims, making strangulation a criminal offence and establishing domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms.

Labour has ‘failed women’

But the Conservatives said Labour had “failed women” and “broken its promises” by delaying the publication of the violence against women and girls strategy.

Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, said that Labour “shrinks from uncomfortable truths, voting against tougher sentences and presiding over falling sex-offender convictions. At every turn, Labour has failed women.”

UK

UK has seen longest period without migrants arriving on small boats since 2018, figures show

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

admin

UK has seen longest period without migrants arriving on small boats since 2018, figures show

There have been no migrant arrivals in small boats crossing the Channel for 28 days, according to Home Office figures.

The last recorded arrivals were on 14 November, making it the longest uninterrupted run since autumn 2018 after no reported arrivals on Friday.

However, a number of Border Force vessels were active in the English Channel on Saturday morning, indicating that there may be arrivals today.

So far, 39,292 people have crossed to the UK aboard small boats this year – already more than any other year except 2022.

The record that year was set at 45,774 arrivals.

It comes as the government has stepped up efforts in recent months to deter people from risking their lives crossing the Channel – but measures are not expected to have an impact until next year.

December is normally one of the quietest for Channel crossings, with a combination of poor visibility, low temperatures, less daylight and stormy weather making the perilous journey more difficult.

The most arrivals recorded in the month of December is 3,254, in 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy met with ministers from other European countries this week as discussions over possible reform to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) continue.

The issue of small boat arrivals – a very small percentage of overall UK immigration – has become a salient issue in British politics in recent years.

Last month, French maritime police announced they would soon be able to intercept boats in the English Channel.

UK

King reveals ‘good news’ in his battle with cancer and urges people to get checked

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

admin

King reveals 'good news' in his battle with cancer and urges people to get checked

The King has shared in a television address that, thanks to early diagnosis, his cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.

In a televised address, Charles said his “good news” was “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors’ orders”.

“This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years,” he added.

“Testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50% of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”

The King announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was beginning treatment.

The monarch postponed all public-facing engagements, but continued with his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.

He returned to public duties in April last year and visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London with the Queen and discussed his “shock” at being diagnosed when he spoke to a fellow cancer patient.

Sources suggested last December his treatment would continue in 2025 and was “moving in a positive direction”.

The King has chosen not to reveal what kind of cancer he has been treated for. Palace sources have partly put that down to the fact that he doesn’t want one type of cancer to appear more significant or attract more attention than others.

In a statement after the speech aired, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty has responded exceptionally well to treatment and his doctors advise that ongoing measures will now move into a precautionary phase.”

Sir Keir Starmer praised the video message as “a powerful message,” and said: “I know I speak for the entire country when I say how glad I am that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year.

“Early cancer screening saves lives.”

Early detection can give ‘the precious gift of hope’

His message on Friday was broadcast at 8pm in support of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint campaign by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

In an appeal to people to get screened for the disease early, the King said: “I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming.

“Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope. These are gifts we can all help deliver.”

Charles noted that “at least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them,” adding: “That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed.

“The statistics speak with stark clarity. To take just one example: When bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage, around nine in ten people survive for at least five years.

“When diagnosed late, that falls to just one in ten. Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”

after months of uncertainty, some relief and reassurance for the King

This is a rare but positive update. The King in his own words speaking about his cancer.

And it’s good news.

Since his diagnosis, he’s received weekly treatment. His work schedule has had to fit around the appointments. And while it’s not stopping, it is being significantly reduced.

He’s responded well, and his recovery has reached, we understand, a very positive stage.

The King’s decision to speak publicly and so personally is unusual.

He has deliberately chosen the moment, supporting the high-profile Stand Up To Cancer campaign, and the launch of a national online screening checker.

It still hasn’t been revealed what kind of cancer he has. And there’s a reason – firstly, it’s private information.

But more importantly, the King knows the power of sharing his story. And with it, the potential to support the wider cancer community.

We are once again seeing a candid openness from the Royal Family. Earlier this year, the Princess of Wales discussed the ups and downs of her cancer journey.

These moments signal a shift towards greater transparency on matters the Royal Family once kept entirely private.

For millions facing cancer, the King’s update is empathy and encouragement from someone who understands.

And after months of uncertainty, for the King himself, some relief and reassurance.

Minor inconvenience of screening ‘a small price to pay’

The King acknowledged that people often avoid screening “because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable”. But, he added: “If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part.

“A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told either they don’t need further tests, or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”

Giving his “most heartfelt thanks” to doctors, nurses, researchers and charity workers, the King added: “As I have observed before, the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion. But compassion must be paired with action.

“This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past, I pray that we can each pledge, as part of our resolutions for the year ahead, to play our part in helping to catch cancer early.

“Your life – or the life of someone you love – may depend upon it.”