UK Defence Secretary Orders Review of Military Diversity Policies Amid Security Concerns
Grant Shapps emphasizes national security over diversity initiatives, sparking debate over the balance between inclusivity and operational effectiveness.
- Defence Secretary Grant Shapps orders a comprehensive review of the Ministry of Defence's diversity and inclusivity policies following reports of plans to relax security checks for overseas recruits.
- Shapps criticizes the infiltration of 'woke' and 'extremist culture' in the military, asserting the need to prioritize the armed forces' core mission over political agendas.
- Military personnel express concerns over diversity drives potentially compromising security, with Shapps vowing no lowering of security clearance standards on his watch.
- Critics argue that diversity and inclusivity efforts are essential for attracting talent and reflecting the nation's diversity, while others fear they may weaken military effectiveness.
- The review aims to ensure that diversity policies do not detract from the military's primary objective of defending the nation, amid a wider recruitment crisis and global security threats.