London, United Kingdom: Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson, the former Commander of UK Space Command, was suspended on 23rd September 2026 after being arrested in August 2026 over reports of theft and a serious sexual offence involving an adult, with the theft investigation now referred to military prosecutors while the sexual-offence investigation remains ongoing.
The Defence Serious Crime Command confirmed that an RAF member was arrested in connection with the two allegations. It said the theft investigation had concluded and been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority for a charging decision, while the investigation into the alleged serious sexual offence remains ongoing.
The RAF confirmed Thompson’s suspension, saying: “Air Vice-Marshal James Thompson was suspended without prejudice as part of an investigation.” Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has since been appointed interim Commander of UK Space Command.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the person who reported the allegations or the precise circumstances of the alleged sexual offence. The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) has only described it as a “serious sexual offence involving an adult”.
Thompson’s suspension became public on 23 September 2026, weeks after it occurred. The development emerged as the UK Space Power Conference was being held in London on 23–24 September, with Whiteley attending as interim commander. There has been no official explanation for why the suspension and arrest became public at that point.
Thompson was announced as Commander of UK Space Command on 17 June 2026, succeeding Major General Paul Tedman. He had previously served as the organisation’s Deputy Commander from December 2024.
He joined the Royal Air Force in 1997 as a Weapons Technician and was commissioned in 2003 as a Communications Electronics Engineering Officer. His career included work in air defence, cyber, air-land integration and intelligence, along with senior appointments at the Ministry of Defence and Permanent Joint Headquarters.
His previous roles included Chief of Staff within the Air Staff at the MoD, Chief of Staff Joint Effects at Permanent Joint Headquarters, Head of Space Operations, Planning and Training at UK Space Command and Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group. He had also served in operational and command positions involving air and space operations.
As Commander of UK Space Command, Thompson was responsible for Britain’s military operations in space, including monitoring threats and protecting satellites. The organisation brings together personnel and capabilities from the RAF, British Army and Royal Navy and is headquartered at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
The Defence Serious Crime Command said: “We can confirm that a member of the RAF was arrested in connection to reports of theft and a serious sexual offence involving an adult.”
It added: “The theft investigation has concluded and has been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority for a charging decision.”
On the sexual-offence investigation, the command said: “The investigation into the alleged serious sexual offence remains ongoing, and therefore it’d be inappropriate to comment further.”
The RAF has not said that Thompson has been charged or convicted. The available information shows that the theft investigation has reached the prosecution decision stage, while the separate sexual-offence investigation remains active.
