EXCLUSIVE: The RAF said the senior officer has been 'suspended without prejudice as part of an investigation'.

09:30, Mon, Aug 3, 2026 Updated: 09:32, Mon, Aug 3, 2026

Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson

Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson was appointed the Commander of UK Space Command in June this year (Image: RAF)

The two-star officer in charge of UK Space Command has been temporarily removed from his post pending an investigation. Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson, who was announced as commander less than two months ago, has been “suspended without prejudice”, the Royal Air Force confirmed.

However the RAF would not comment on the nature of the probe. Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has been named as AVM Thompson’s interim replacement. AVM Thompson, who was appointed a CBE in 2024, took up the top role in UK Space Command in June this year.

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The senior officer, who joined the RAF in 1997 before commissioning in 2003, previously served as the command’s deputy commander.

UK Space Command is tasked with protecting and defending British and allied interests in, from and to space 24/7, 365 days a year.

Based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, it is a joint command staffed by personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF, alongside civil servants and contractors.

An RAF spokesperson said: “Air Vice-Marshal James Thompson has been suspended without prejudice as part of an investigation.

“Air Commodore Darren Whiteley is the interim Commander of UK Space Command.”