Defence Secretary Grant Shapps assured that there will not be any “lowering of security clearance requirements” despite a report claiming the Army is planning to boost ethnic diversity in recruits by relaxing those very requirements.
Shapps declared he will be ordering a review of diversity and inclusivity policy at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and emphasized that the goal is for people of all backgrounds to serve in the military. However, he raised concern that some policies appear to be more about a political agenda than practically improving the lives of dedicated soldiers and military personnel.
A group of 12 former senior military officers have called for a purge of what they referred to as “poisonous ideas” from the military, as they expressed concern over the “racist and intolerant” ideology being pushed within HM Armed Forces. They labeled the reported policies a “real and present threat to national security” and urged for the removal of the Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity (DEI) ideology from military culture.
Other officials, including Housing Secretary Michael Gove, have also weighed in, expressing the importance of finding the right balance in Ministry of Defence policies in order to safeguard security while ensuring a diverse and strong military. The MoD has also emphasized the seriousness with which they approach security, ensuring that all personnel have the appropriate security clearance.