Defence Minister rejects woke claims and hails diversity in Armed Forces in modern Britain

Defence Minister Andrew Murrison has rejected the idea that woke culture is "infecting" the Armed Forces - and is proud of the fact that they are now increasingly diverse.

Dr Murrison was responding to a question in the Commons from Independent MP Andrew Bridgen who said: "The rise of so-called woke culture has been infecting our society for many years and it should be unsurprising that it's now infecting our military.

"Does the minister think the rise of woke makes it easier or more difficult to recruit the right sort of people into our Armed Forces?"

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Dr Murrison replied: "Well, I completely reject the premise of [Mr Bridgen's] question.

"If he's talking about increasing the amount of women in our Armed Forces, if he's talking about Lord Etherton's review into LGBT historically in our Armed Forces, if he's talking about our ambition to make our Armed Forces more reflective of the society from which they're drawn and which they serve, then I'm guilty as charged."

Dr Murrison also addressed concerns over a report that the Army wants to relax security checks for overseas recruits to boost ethnic minority representation.

Scott Benton, who is also an Independent MP, told the Commons: "Media reports have suggested that white men have been actively discriminated against in recruitment and that security checks may be relaxed due to promoting ethnic diversity within the Army.

"A number of senior military figures have purportedly warned that the pervasiveness of woke ideology being pushed onto the Armed Forces is a real and present threat to national security and will give aid and comfort to the King's enemies.

"Will the planned review of diversity policies seek to address these concerns?"

Dr Murrison replied: "I don't recognise the situation he describes. We take security extremely seriously and ensure all personnel have security clearance appropriate to their job.

"Checks normally require at least three years' UK residency, but Commonwealth candidates are permitted to accrue qualifying residency whilst serving, although they cannot take up roles and ranks which require higher levels of vetting.

"This policy has been in place for several years and it hasn't changed."

The exchanges took place in the Commons during a session of questions to Ministry of Defence ministers.

Elsewhere in the session, Conservative former minister Mark Francois also raised concerns over recruitment, and asked when the Government was "finally going to sack" recruiting firm Capita.

Dr Murrison said: "I knew he'd get Capita in there somewhere."

He said an engage-to-recruit programme was currently under way and was having "some success in getting soldiers to recruit soldiers".

The minister added: "That's probably why we are seeing now some extremely promising recruiting figures, including in January the best figures for six years."