2021-10-10
Admiral SIr Tony Radakin was accused of "undermining a Royal Marines Major General" according to the Daily Mail.
"His appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff came days after the death of Major General Matt Holmes, 54. The former Commandant General of the Marines was found dead at his family home in Winchester, Hampshire, on Saturday. There were no suspicious circumstances"
It would seem from the Mail's account that there was little love remaining to be lost between these two officers.
The Mail reports "A directive from Sir Tony's office included a gagging order banning the Marines officer from discussing key issues with colleagues, including the commander of the US Marine Corps".
Why on earth would a high-ranking Major-General be prohibited from discussing matters military with US colleagues? It would seem that the prohibition possibly related to matters political.
It would appear that Sir Tony was worried about his authority. Most good leaders know that authority is better won by good leadership than imposed by order, even, perhaps especially, in the forces.
Whilst the death of Major General Holmes might be entirely unrelated to the Marines, it seems likely from reading the Mail's report that it may not be. Somebody should be asking what on earth might drive such an experienced officer to take his own life - it might be important.
Whilst we will likely never know the truth, the suspicion remains that the new Chief of Staff may have a people-management problem. In times of crisis when senior officers need to have trust and confidence in each other both as superiors and subordinates in order to speak truth to power, that may not augur well.
