Documents show 'beyond doubt' former head of RAF 'lied' over recruitment scandal, MP claims

A top Conservative politician has claimed internal documents prove "beyond doubt" the former head of the Royal Air Force "lied" to the then defence secretary over a recruitment scandal involving the discrimination of white men.

Alicia Kearns also accused the RAF and the Ministry of Defence of failing to compensate the former head of recruitment, Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl, who resigned in August 2022 in protest at what she correctly deemed to be an unlawful order to favour female and ethnic minority applicants over white men.

Sky News first broke the news of the resignation.

Ms Kearns, who is Group Captain Nicholl's local MP, made the allegations during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

Sir Keir Starmer said his government would "look into" the case and said a minister would meet with Ms Kearns.

The actions of the former head of RAF recruitment, who lost her career after refusing to follow the controversial order by her chain of command to prioritise women and ethnic minorities, prompted a major inquiry that concluded the RAF did unlawfully discriminate against white men in a recruitment drive aimed at boosting diversity.

"Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl had an exemplary career with the RAF until she was forced to resign for refusing to implement illegal recruitment orders," Ms Kearns told parliament.

"Despite inquiry after inquiry vindicating Lizzy on every account, the RAF and MoD have failed to offer her far compensation and those responsible have walked away.

"I have documents proving beyond doubt that the former chief of the air staff lied to the then defence secretary about her case."

The documents the MP referred to are understood to comprise the result of an initial review of RAF recruiting policy and practice, dated 5 September 2022, and the conclusion of an RAF board meeting two days later, attended by senior officials including, Air Chief Marshall Sir Mike Wigston, the then head of the RAF, and Ben Wallace, then defence secretary.

Both documents have been seen by Sky News.

A summary of the conclusion of the initial report into RAF recruiting policy and practice stated: "The recruitment policies of the RAF over the past two years generate a very high risk of successful legal challenge.

"The policies viewed individually and collectively, albeit framed with the laudable aim of increasing diversity, are highly likely to be regarded as going beyond lawful 'positive action' and constituting unlawful 'positive discrimination'."

The second document set out the conclusions of the Air Force Main Board meeting at the Ministry of Defence on 7 September, which included a discussion of the recruitment scandal.

It said: "CAS (Chief of Air Staff) had asked the Chief of Defence People (CDP) to conduct a swift review of the RAF's recruiting practices; the review concluded that no evidence of actual discrimination had been found, however direction had been issued, which if acted upon would have left the RAF exposed to a high risk of successful legal challenge."

Asked about the claims by Ms Kearns that Air Chief Marshal Wigston had lied about the case, an RAF source said: "I do not believe he would lie to a politician or to anyone. It was all based on the best available information - which changed."

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In her damning public intervention, Ms Kearns also revealed that other internal inquiries have similarly vindicated Group Captain Nicholl but she said that her constituent has yet to be fairly compensated, while those in charge at the time "have walked away".

She did not identify anyone by name, but Air Chief Marshal Wigston was chief of the air staff at the time and a champion of improving diversity - something that the government also supported.

Air Vice-Marshal Maria Byford was head of personnel, while Air Commodore Jo Lincoln was another senior personnel officer.

In addition, Ms Kearns claimed that in the run-up to this summer's election, officials used a period known as purdah - where there is less ministerial oversight because everyone is campaigning - to offer Group Captain "a derisory £2,000".

In a challenge to Sir Keir, Ms Kearns said: "The prime minister says he believes in righting wrongs, so will he meet with Lizzy and help ensure that those responsible do not just walk away and Lizzy gets the justice she so very much deserves?"

Sky News has approached the Ministry of Defence and the RAF for comment.

(c) Sky News 2024: Documents show 'beyond doubt' former head of RAF 'lied' over recruitment scandal, MP claims