A senior RAF officer, known for touring with the renowned Red Arrows display team, has been arrested following the discovery of ‘extremely concerning’ material of a sexual nature on his phone. The officer is now under a criminal investigation conducted by the Royal Military Police.
The investigation will primarily focus on the nature of the material found on the officer’s phone and whether it was shared with others. Additionally, the probe will examine messages sent to a potential witness in the investigation, assessing whether they contained any threatening content.
This arrest comes amidst a backdrop of scandal and controversy surrounding the Red Arrows, the UK’s best-known display squad. Recent investigations into the team have uncovered a culture of misogyny, with allegations of unwanted physical contact and sexual harassment against women.
An RAF spokesperson confirmed the arrest, stating, “A service person was recently arrested. As police investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further.”
According to a source quoted by MailOnline, the inquiry was triggered after someone close to the officer discovered concerning footage on his phone. This led to a member of the public raising concerns within the military, resulting in the involvement of the Military Police. The officer was arrested on November 20.
While the officer’s main role does not directly involve the Red Arrows, he is known to have toured with them in recent years. The team has faced scrutiny in the past; in November last year, the Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows was suspended due to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a junior team member.
Two investigations concluded last month that the elite unit exhibited an ‘unacceptable culture of sexism, harassment, and bullying.’ Female personnel reported suffering unwanted physical contact and inappropriate communication, with some feeling viewed as ‘property’ by their male counterparts.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton acknowledged the widespread and normalized nature of such unacceptable behaviour within the squadron. Last year, two male pilots were dismissed for sexual misconduct and bullying, and nine other Red Arrows personnel faced disciplinary action following these investigations.
This latest incident further highlights the ongoing challenges within the military regarding sexual misconduct and the need for robust measures to address and prevent such behaviour.
