Ex-Red Arrows flying team breaks silence on 'toxic' culture and 'sexual harassment'


The four whistleblowers have also attacked an RAF inquiry into the scandal as a “second wound” which failed to clean up the aerobatic squadron.

They told Sky News the investigation published last month was a “travesty of justice” in which air chiefs were “marking their own homework”.

The three women and four men described how female recruits would be leered at, pestered and subjected to lewd banter by male counterparts.

One victim, named only as Kate said: “They want us quiet and think it will go away. 

“That’s not going to happen because none of us are happy with how it’s been dealt with.”

Last month’s inquiry led to two pilots being sacked and nine individuals sanctioned for misbehaviour including sexual harassment, exposure of genitals and predatory activity.

Kate told Sky News she experienced horrific sexism from male colleagues after joining the squadron at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

She said: “They see it as fresh meat being on squadron and they all kind of wanted to ogle me. So it was almost being in like a fishbowl really.

“I felt really uncomfortable, almost dirty, actually. Some pilots were untouchable. That’s why it was so dangerous.”

One male pilot bombarded her with text messages and pursued her on team night out while they were on an overseas tour.

“I was plied with alcohol and I woke up with that pilot in my room the next day – not really knowing what had happened.

“He told me if I told anybody I would be kicked out of the air force. I would lose my job and be sent home immediately. I blamed myself.”

Kate reported the incident to her seniors but decided to leave the air force when they took no action.

Another woman, named only as Lucy, said: “I had my bottom slapped. I received messages from one of the crew asking for sex, but to keep it quiet.”

The third woman, referred to as Rachel, joined the squadron last year as it was undergoing an overhaul aimed at stamping out sexism.

But she said: “One of the discussion groups I was in was led by another female officer on the squadron.

“People were making lewd comments about the fact that she was wearing skinny jeans because they were tight trousers.

“They tried to follow me to my hotel room. They made comments about my breasts and bum in my work overalls.”

The male whistleblower, named only as James, wanted to give evidence to the inquiry but its’ remit only covered years after he had left.

He said he complained about bullying but was told: “if this information gets out, you know that people are going to close ranks and they’re going to make you look ridiculous.”

An RAF spokesperson said: “Two comprehensive and thorough investigations have been completed relating to unacceptable behaviours within the Red Arrows.

“The findings of the investigations led to action being taken against several individuals, up to and including dismissal from the service.

“This was followed by an unreserved apology from the Chief of the Air Staff and the introduction of many changes.”

“Any new evidence on unacceptable behaviours anywhere in the RAF will be thoroughly investigated.”

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