Grant Shapps demands urgent review into ‘extremist’ diversity initiatives – claiming it puts national security at risk
GRANT Shapps is ordering a review into “extremist” diversity and inclusion initiatives that could put national security at risk.
The Defence Secretary has hit out at Army proposals to relax clearance vetting for overseas recruits as part of a diversity drive.
He told woke military chiefs to concentrate on remaining a “lethal fighting force” instead of lowering security standards.
A document leaked to The Sunday Telegraph, called The British Army’s Race Action Plan, has sparked outrage.
It suggests military bosses should “challenge security requirements” in roles with “uncontrolled access to secret assets”.
It states that such action would be beneficial because it would boost ethnic diversity in high military ranks.
Mr Shapps said he was unaware of the plan and vowed to conduct a review of diversity policies across defence.
He said: “This extremist culture has crept in over many years. It’s time for a proper shake-up designed to refocus the military on its core mission.”
Yesterday The Sun reported how Army top brass were reportedly mulling a proposal to make the Army more diverse by recruiting foreigners.
The Telegraph reported that the Army drew up their Race Action Plan pledging to “challenge security clearance requirements” last year.
The blueprint reportedly called security checks the “primary barrier to non-UK personnel gaining a commission in the Army”.
It is claimed the proposal was intended to boost diversity in the Intelligence Corps, whose officers handle state secrets.
Ethnic minority people currently make up just 14 per cent of the regular army.
People from Commonwealth countries can serve in the Army – and are reportedly viewed as a way of hitting recruitment targets.
Overseas applicants currently need to have lived in the UK for at least five years to gain security clearance.