The RAF’s head of recruitment resigned after refusing to comply with a variety order to prioritise ladies and ethnic minority candidates over white males, it’s claimed.
The group captain who heads up the 450-person recruitment workforce, reportedly advised her boss in an e mail on 4 August she thought the order to allocate slots on RAF coaching programs primarily based on gender or ethnicity was “unlawful.”
“I am not prepared to delegate or abdicate the responsibility of actioning that order to my staff,” the officer is claimed to have mentioned, in an e mail seen by Sky News.
She resigned as Group Captain Recruitment and Selection, primarily based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, however continues to be a serving RAF officer, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
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A minister mentioned on Friday that any proof of optimistic discrimination inside the RAF could be investigated, following allegations the service has “paused” providing new roles to white males.
James Heappey, the armed forces minister, denied claims {that a} “pause” had been put in place on job gives for white males in favour of ladies and ethnic minorities, with the intention to hit variety targets.
He burdened that no coverage is carried out regardless of the RAF recruitment workforce receiving an order on 2 August from the chain of command, in line with Sky News.
He mentioned that Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, who heads the RAF, had requested his workforce to “pause” providing coaching slots to all candidates whereas he and his senior leaders contemplate how they may take authorized steps – so-called optimistic motion – to help bettering variety ranges on varied coaching programs within the 12 months to March 2023.
“If there are avenues for the chief of the air staff to look at positive action, then that’s fine and he’s created himself room to do that. But we must be absolutely clear that no policy is implemented,” Mr Heappey mentioned.
An RAF spokesperson mentioned the issues raised by the now-resigned head of recruitment had been “addressed” by her chain of command.
“The RAF recruits people from the widest possible pool of talent and is becoming a more diverse organisation, but we will not do so at the expense of our high standards, operational effectiveness, or adherence to legal obligations,” a spokesman said.
“The RAF will continue to work hard, within the provisions of the law, to achieve a Royal Air Force that reflects the society it serves and protects.”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk