Britain's Space Command leader suspended amid serious sexual assault allegation

The Ministry of Defence announced that Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson, who recently took charge of the United Kingdom's Space Command, is suspended pending investigation of a serious sexual assault allegation. Thompson was arrested at the MoD in London in August, just weeks after the unit's formation in 2021 and his appointment as commander. The Defence Serious Crime Command is leading the probe, and a related theft inquiry has been closed and sent to the Service Prosecuting Authority for possible charges.

Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has been named interim commander of the space unit, which is based at RAF High Wycombe and integrates personnel from the Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Civil Service. Thompson was slated to co-host the inaugural Space Power Conference alongside politician Wes Streeting and Chief of Air Staff Harv Smyth before his removal. The command's mission remains to protect the UK's interests in space for national security and allied cooperation.