Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson, commander of the United Kingdom’s Space Force, has been suspended amid investigations into accusations of a serious sexual offence and theft, officials confirmed. Thompson was arrested at the Ministry of Defence in London several weeks after assuming leadership of UK Space Command, which is responsible for protecting British satellites, conducting space missions, and detecting missile threats originating from space.

A former Special Forces officer, Thompson’s career with the Royal Air Force began in 1997, initially serving in a bomb disposal unit before being commissioned in 2003. His previous roles included work at the Ministry of Defence’s Special Forces headquarters, known as "MoD A Block." In 2024, he was appointed deputy commander of UK Space Command and took command in June.

His suspension was announced last month, with police from the Defence Serious Crime Command leading the investigations. This unit handles the most serious and complex offences within the UK military and operates independently of conventional command chains. Authorities confirmed Thompson’s arrest related to allegations of theft and a sexual offence involving an adult.

The theft investigation has been concluded and referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority for a decision on potential charges. However, the inquiry into the alleged serious sexual offence remains active. The Ministry of Defence has not commented on specifics of the allegations but stated that Thompson was suspended without prejudice.

Thompson had been scheduled to co-host the inaugural Space Power Conference in London alongside Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Chief of the Air Staff Harv Smyth. Following his suspension, Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has assumed the role of interim commander of UK Space Command, which is based at RAF Headquarters in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

This incident occurs amid growing international attention on the militarization of space, with recent developments including the United States confirming the deployment of a weapon in Earth’s orbit. Analysts warn that future conflicts may increasingly involve space as a contested domain. The UK Space Command is part of the nation’s efforts to adapt to this evolving strategic environment by providing defence capabilities in space-based operations.