A UK defence minister has confirmed that members of the Red Arrows have been removed from the RAF’s elite aerial display team as allegations of “unacceptable behaviour” are investigated.
The Times reported that more than 40 personnel, including young female recruits, had provided 250 hours of evidence to an inquiry that began this year, describing the aerobatic display team as “toxic”.
The armed forces minister, James Heappey, told Times Radio that some personnel had been removed from the display team for this season.
Heappey said he had confidence in Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston and his team’s investigation into the allegations.
He said: “The very highest of standards are demanded of our armed forces across the board, and 99.99% of them deliver in spades. Those who have the privilege of serving in an organisation like the Red Arrows have, I think, an even greater responsibility because they are so much in the public eye, and the allegations that have been made are very concerning indeed.
“The Royal Air Force have taken, I think, the right action in that they have got those against whom these allegations have been made under investigation. I’m confident that the chief of the air staff and his team are investigating these allegations – they’ve taken action to remove them from the display team for this season.
“We’ll wait until those investigations are complete before the individuals responsible are held to account.”
The Times said alleged victims were told that if they spoke up they would be sent home or kicked out of the RAF.
The newspaper reported that senior leaders “swept complaints under the carpet” for years to protect the reputations of people considered “untouchable”.
Members of the Red Arrows, based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, have also been accused of drunkenness, but an RAF spokesperson said the allegations were “unfounded”.
A source in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that a number of personnel with the Red Arrows were the subject of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour, none of the claims met the threshold for criminal charges, and the inquiry’s final report was with RAF leaders for their consideration.
It is understood that none of the pilots currently on the team are accused of wrongdoing.
An RAF spokesperson said: “The RAF has a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour and takes action wherever wrongdoing is proven. Following allegations of unacceptable behaviour within the Red Arrows, the RAF commissioned a thorough and far-reaching investigation.
“We will not be commenting further on the individual circumstances of specific personnel moves, which have been made without prejudice and are the result of both personal and professional reasons.
“The allegations of Red Arrows pilots flying while intoxicated are unfounded. All RAF pilots, in the Red Arrows or otherwise, are subject to strict regulations on alcohol consumption before conducting any flying. Safety remains paramount and any pilot found to have breached those regulations would simply not be permitted to fly, and would face disciplinary action.”
