Exclusive: British Army colonel claims trans personnel unlikely to be able to serve beyond 2026
The British Army's most senior transgender officer has warned that trans personnel are unlikely to serve in the Armed Forces beyond 2026.
Colonel Grace Sangster-Wall, delivering a keynote speech at the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards in London on Tuesday, levelled significant criticism at the MOD for what she described as a "regression" in the rights trans personnel are experiencing across the military today.
Before making her remarks, the colonel removed her military clothing in front of 450 onlookers, explaining that she was taking off her uniform so there was "no misunderstanding" that her comments reflected her personal views, and not those of the MOD.
After removing the top half of her mess dress, Colonel Sangster-Wall told the audience: "The MOD has 26 years of experience integrating the trans minority into service; into an organisation where its people work, live and fight together.
"But in the same way that there was no evidence to justify the ban on LGBT+ volunteers in the 50s and 60s, there is no evidence to justify a regression in the rights, dignity, opportunity and working experience of the current serving trans minority."
The colonel, who serves as Provost Marshal in the Royal Military Police, went on to claim that trans personnel were unlikely to be able to continue serving by the end of next year.
She said: "The harsh reality is that it's unknown if, and increasingly unlikely that, I and those trans service persons that I support, will be able to serve into and beyond 2026."
Earlier this year, in the US, President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender personnel serving in the military – the UK's closest military ally.
It is unclear whether Col Sangster-Wall's warning suggested the MOD may follow suit by introducing its own ban on trans personnel, or whether she was referring more broadly to the conditions trans people are currently experiencing in their military service.
Her claims and criticism also come during the 25th anniversary year of the lifting of the ban on homosexuality in Britain's Armed Forces – which the Army is marking with 25 separate events to commemorate the milestone.
Speaking to BFBS Forces News shortly after her speech, the colonel, who as a full colonel is regarded as a senior figure in the Army, said she had taken legal advice before making her comments, which explained why she removed her uniform.
BFBS Forces News approached the MOD for comment but has not yet received a response.
Join Our Newsletter
