The head of Britain’s Space Command has been suspended over a “serious sexual assault” allegation, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson was arrested at the MoD in London in August, just weeks after taking charge of UK Space Command.
The MoD confirmed reports of the allegation, and of AVM Thompson’s suspension, to GB News late last night.
It had earlier told The Sun a member of the RAF “was arrested in connection to reports of theft and a serious sexual offence involving an adult”.
It added: “The theft investigation has concluded and has been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority for a charging decision.
“The investigation into the alleged serious sexual offence remains ongoing.”
The former Special Forces officer was responsible for defending British satellites and developing the unit, which was formed in 2021.
Based at RAF High Wycombe, it is a joint command staffed by personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and the Civil Service.
Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson was suspended just weeks after he took charge of UK Space Command
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ROYAL AIR FORCE
Its stated mission is to “safeguard the nation’s interests in space, for the prosperity and security of the UK and its allies”.
Mr Thompson had been set to host the inaugural Space Power Conference in London this week alongside Wes Streeting and the Chief of Air Staff Harv Smyth.
But he was suspended from his post after investigators from the Defence Serious Crime Command launched a probe.
The unit sits outside of the traditional chain of command and is responsible for the most “serious and complex” cases in the military.
AVM Thompson first enlisted with the RAF in 1997 as a Weapons Technician, before being commissioned as a Communications Electronics Engineering Officer in 2003.
He previously led the RAF Global Enablement Unit, an operational force responsible for supporting air force operations.
In 2024, he was appointed deputy commander of UK Space Command.
This July, he was announced as its commander, taking over from Major General Paul Tedman.
Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has been named interim commander of UK Space Command
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US SPACE COMMAND
The RAF said at the time that AVM Thompson “brings a wealth of operational space experience to his new post”.
The Air Vice-Marshal himself said now was a time of “unparalleled operational activity and capability growth”.
An RAF spokesman said last night: “Air Vice-Marshal James Thompson was suspended without prejudice as part of an investigation.
“Air Commodore Darren Whiteley is the interim Commander of UK Space Command.”
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