Red Arrows have 'moved on' from harassment claims

Wing Cdr Adam Collins said "standards of behaviour are high" within the team

The officer in charge of the Red Arrows has said the team is in a "different place" after it was criticised last year following sexual harassment claims.

An inquiry into the display team in 2023 found predatory behaviour towards women was "widespread and normalised".

Wing Cdr Adam Collins said they were doing "everything they can" to maintain high standards of behaviour.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the aerobatics group.

A nine-aircraft show will perform across the UK to celebrate the 60th anniversary

After behaviour in the team was found to have gone unchallenged, the RAF's chief of staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, apologised "unreservedly" in November last year.

Former RAF servicewomen came forward to tell the BBC they had received "explicit sexual remarks" and were "seen as trouble-makers" for complaining.

A Ministry of Defence survey last year found 92% of RAF personnel who had experienced discrimination, harassment or bullying did not lodge complaints, with 61% saying they believed nothing would be done.

Two pilots serving with the Red Arrows were dismissed from the team and the RAF following an initial investigation in 2022.

The team is based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

'Not above anyone else'

Mr Collins told BBC Radio Lincolnshire it had been a "challenging period" for the team.

"We have moved on from that, we are in a different place," he said.

"Standards of behaviour are high on the Red Arrows, as with the rest of the Royal Air Force.

"Any instances of unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with accordingly."

Mr Collins added that education was in place within the team, and said it was his job to "make people feel included, valued and respected".

"We do not think we are above anyone else. We are Royal Air Force pilots, first and foremost," he said.

To celebrate the diamond anniversary, a nine-aircraft show will perform across the UK in the Red Arrows' trademark diamond formation.

Mr Collins said the show would be "considerably different" from recent performances, with manoeuvres that have not been seen for about 20 years.

The Red Arrows were formed in 1964 and have completed almost 5,000 shows in 57 countries.