Female Red Arrows personnel were told they'd be 'a notch on a bedpost'

Young female members of the scandal-hit Red Arrows were warned they could become a 'notch on a crew member's bedpost', insiders of the famed flying force have revealed.

The allegation comes as the acclaimed RAF unit continues to find itself embroiled in sleaze allegations amid damning claims personnel were sexually harassed and bullied during a four-year period, as senior officials stood by. 

Now, former members of the world-renowned aerobatics squadron, have broken cover to speak out about the 'toxic culture' of misogyny plaguing the team as part of a television documentary to be screened on Sky News tonight.

The three women and one man have slammed air force top brass, accusing them of sweeping allegations under the carpet and 'marking their own homework'. They even claimed the RAF misled the public by telling a parliamentary committee none of the claims heard by an inquiry team met a criminal threshold. 

Among the victims speaking out is a junior officer known only as 'Kate'. She told Sky a male colleague had warned her about some of her predatory comrades and said: 'Be careful… You could be a notch on a crew member’s bedpost.'

Kate said she received the ominous warning on her first day at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, where she says she was told that as a 'young, junior trainee' she could be a target for predatory crew members.   

Soon afterwards she claimed a number of her male comrades started making excuses for her to visit the office. 'They see it as fresh meat being on squadron and they all kind of wanted to ogle me,' she said, adding: 'Some pilots were untouchable… that's why it was so dangerous.'

READ MORE: Red Arrows pilot is sacked over claims of sex assault: Top gun is first from world-famous aerobatics squadron to lose job after biggest scandal in its history

Another victim, called 'Lucy', said she experienced sexual harassment during her time with the force, telling Sky she had her 'bottom slapped' and received pestering messages from one of the crew 'asking for sex, but to keep it quiet'. 

The alleged behaviour took place between 2017 and 2021 and was brought to light after Kate and other victims approached former Air Chief Marshall Sir Mike Wigston in December 2021 - prompting a non-statutory inquiry. 

The findings of the inquiry were finally published on November 1 2023. They were damning, confirming widespread unacceptable behaviour including sexual harassment, the flashing of genitals and predatory activity. 

The report also found an 'alcohol-focused culture' had plagued the squadron, as well as bullying and too many bystanders failing to call out the wrongdoing. 

In total, two pilots were sacked and nine individuals were sanctioned. However, no criminal charges were ever brought against those involved. 

Now, the whistleblowers have accused one of RAF's most senior officers of ignoring a plea to rein in abusive Red Arrows pilots.

Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall allegedly brushed aside an appeal by a woman who had been targeted by Top Guns.

The victim, 'Kate', had hoped AVM Marshall would intervene to prevent further mistreatment of females on the world famous squadron.

But despite her revelations, no remedial action was taken. The whistleblower subsequently suffered a breakdown and attempted to kill herself.

'Kate' told the documentary: 'I told her there was a toxic pocket in the Red Arrows, of behaviour that needed to be looked into.

'And she said, "I am sorry to hear about your experiences, good luck in the future".'

The seemingly dismissive response of senior RAF officers affected the mental health of 'Kate'.

She said: 'I got to the point where I thought I was doing everything I could, I was raising the alarm. Nobody was listening to me. And then I ended up in hospital very mentally unwell.'

Last night, the RAF insisted 'Kate' had failed to pass on enough information for an investigation to be launched.

READ MORE: Disband Red Arrows, say victims of 'constant sex pestering' after more than 40 personnel raise serious misconduct issues about the RAF squadron's alleged toxic culture

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), known as the Red Arrows, has been embroiled in claims of sexual abuse, harassment of female crew members and bullying.

The shocking allegations were first reported by the Mail last year. Eventually a pair of Top Guns were sacked, but neither pilot faced criminal charges.

A subsequent in-house inquiry found certain pilots treated female crew members as 'property' and engaged in predatory behaviour.

This misconduct was accepted due to a 'bystander culture'. The women suffered unwanted physical contact, sexual texts and invitations to engage in sexual activity.

When the RAF's findings were published in November, the chief of the Air Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, apologised 'unreservedly' for their experiences.

No disciplinary action has been taken against AVM Marshall and she is not facing an investigation. Last night, RAF sources insisted her response to the claims had been 'correct and reasonable'.

AVM Marshall, 50, is the first woman to command one of the RAF's two 'operational groups'. Previously she was the first woman to pass the qualified weapons instructor course for the Tornado F3 aircraft.

'Kate', a junior member of the squadron, told Sky News she once woke up to find a male pilot lying beside her. She had been in no state to consent to any form of intimacy.

At the time the Red Arrows were on an overseas tour. Pilots and other squadron members were partying in hotels and drinking heavily.

'Kate' said the pilot warned her against filing a complaint, suggesting such a move would lead to her removal from the Red Arrows rather than his. He described himself as 'untouchable'.

On other nights drunken pilots, who were due to fly the next day, would bombard her with flirty text messages inviting her for drinks in their rooms.

An RAF spokesman said last night: 'We are unable to offer comment on individual cases. The AVM was not in the service person's chain of command and she was not investigated as part of the inquiry.

'Two comprehensive investigations have been completed relating to unacceptable behaviour within the Red Arrows. The findings led to action against several individuals, including dismissal from service.'

The RAF added it recognised it had taken 'some time' to publish its findings but insisted 'it was important to get this right and for the independent team who wrote the report to have time to gather the evidence and let affected personnel have the chance to comment'.

The spokesman added: 'Two comprehensive and thorough investigations have been completed relating to unacceptable behaviour 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 within the unit based on the recommendations of the reports.

'As the Chief of the Air Staff has previously stated, any new evidence on unacceptable behaviour anywhere in the RAF will be thoroughly investigated. Where appropriate, he will not hesitate to use the most severe sanctions available to deal with those whose behaviour harms others.'

Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows airs on Sky News at 9pm on Wednesday, 27 December.