Red Arrows said to be in 'special measures' after RAF releases damning reports

The Red Arrows are in what amounts to "special measures" after two reports found sexual harassment and bullying were widespread within the team, a defence minister has revealed.

Dr Andrew Murrison, the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Families, said the aerobatic display team had been "put on notice" after the two RAF investigations found unacceptable behaviours were normalised within the Red Arrows.

"I think they are best described as being in special measures following this performance," Dr Murrison told the Defence Select Committee, without explaining exactly what he meant by the term "special measures".

"They are subject to the most intense scrutiny I think of any part of defence at the moment and none of them can be under any misapprehension about what is expected of them," he added.

The two reports relating to historical allegations of unacceptable behaviour within the Red Arrows were released by the RAF earlier this month.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, said he was "appalled" when he read the findings and offered his "unreserved apologies to any individuals that were subjected to unacceptable behaviours during their association with the Red Arrows".

There have been many changes to the personnel that make up the Red Arrows since the period covered by the investigations, and Dr Murrison said he had been "comforted" in knowing there had been a "significant churn".

He added there were ongoing "climate assessments" of the Red Arrows to ensure they were "where we want them to be".

"No one part of defence, including the Red Arrows, can expect special treatment," he warned.

The Red Arrows are one of the world's most famous aerobatic display teams and perform across the world.