Red Arrows ace faces inquiry over ‘affair’
World famous RAF display team rocked by allegations from female members of harassment and bullying
The top commander of the Red Arrows has been suspended while an alleged relationship with a junior member of his team is investigated. Wing Commander David Montenegro, a father of two, was suspended yesterday. The affair allegedly resulted in the junior colleague’s pregnancy. It comes amid a scandal facing the team, in which staff members, many of whom were young women, accused senior male officers of harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct.
‘Pending that ... the individual has been removed from post’
THE commander of the RAF’S Red Arrows aerobatic display squadron has been suspended while an alleged relationship with a junior team member is investigated.
Wg Cdr David Montenegro, a father of two, was suspended from the team yesterday after details of the affair, which allegedly resulted in the junior colleague’s pregnancy, were first reported in the Daily Mail.
It comes amid a scandal facing the prestigious display team, in which 40 staff members, many of whom were young and inexperienced women, accused senior male officers of harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct.
Wg Cdr Montenegro was the Red Arrows’ highest-ranking member as well as having a high profile, frequently meeting Royals including the Prince of Wales. He is the most senior officer to be removed since the scandal broke.
He was allegedly sent home from the Red Arrows’ tour of Gulf states at the weekend where the team was performing as part of a UK business campaign organised by the Foreign Office.
Wg Cdr Montenegro reportedly met the female corporal in 2017 at a time when he had two sons with a woman he went on to marry.
The affair apparently lasted a year, during which he held the position of “Red One”, the most senior pilot within the squadron, while the corporal was allegedly a member of the ground crew and has reportedly since left the RAF.
As Officer Commanding, Wg Cdr Montenegro would have been in charge of the Arrows’ air crews and ground staff.
The Mail reported that he was surprised when the woman said she intended to have the child. She subsequently had a miscarriage and the relationship ended.
The RAF was said to be concerned that the relationship would have compromised the effectiveness of the squadron and there is no suggestion that he abused or harassed the woman.
The small size of the squadron, which is only 120-strong, could accentuate issues arising from such relationships. The RAF expects its staff to follow its guidelines on “values and standards”, with officers expected to lead by example, while affairs between officers and junior ranks are disapproved of.
Earlier reports of abuse within the Red Arrows include allegations that male officers harassed female colleagues with requests for sexual favours and acted inappropriately, often when drunk.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed last Friday that multiple members of the display team had been sacked from the RAF following the allegations.
Five people have also been disciplined internally in the wake of the scandal.
A source told The Daily Telegraph that female recruits were considered “fresh meat” and that members of the Red Arrows would “pester” the women within their ranks with Whatsapp messages.
The alleged victims have called for a public apology from the most senior officer in the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, as well as for the squadron to be disbanded altogether.
An RAF spokesperson said: “All RAF personnel are expected to maintain the highest standards of behaviour. The RAF is aware of historic allegations from 2017 that have been made against the current Officer Commanding the RAF Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows), which will be thoroughly investigated.
“Pending that investigation, and without prejudice, the individual has been removed from post. We will not be commenting further while the investigation is ongoing.”