Red Arrows pilots treated women as 'property' and predatory behaviour was ... trends now
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Red Arrows pilots treated women as 'property' and engaged in 'widespread and normalised' predatory behaviour, a probe has found.
An investigation into the UK's best-known display squad has concluded that women regularly faced unwanted physical contact, sexual texts and invitations to engage in sexual activity.
It also found that the squad had a 'bystander' culture which meant none of the behaviour was ever challenged.
The Red Arrows chief of the air staff, Sir Richard Knighton, said he was appalled by the findings and 'unreservedly' apologised, the BBC reports.
The RAF has admitted that part of the reason the behaviour was allowed to flourish was because the pilots were seen as 'special' due to the fame of the squadron.
The inquiry was launched in 2021 after several women came forward to complain about behaviour they said they suffered at the hands of Red Arrows pilots. They went to the head of the RAF and said complaints they had made had not been taken seriously.
An investigation into the UK's best-known display squad has concluded that women regularly faced unwanted physical contact, sexual texts and invitations to engage in sexual activity
Two pilots of the Red Arrows were dismissed following an initial inquiry in 2022
The inquiry examined a period of time dating back to 2017.
Among the incidents highlighted by the report were two of genital exposure.
