British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently vetoed a proposal by the military (and even his own appointed Defence Secretary) to select Royal Navy Admiral Tony Radakin as the new Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, who is currently being accused of "destroying" a suicide Marine General, according to the Daily Mail website.
Johnson and Radakin (Screenshot of British media report)
Admiral Rodakin, 55, has become the first naval officer in two decades to serve as the supreme commander of the British Armed Forces, and he will lead 159,000 soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel starting next month.
British defence sources told the Daily Telegraph that defence secretary Ben Wallace had proposed the promotion of Sir Patrick Sanders, who is in charge of special forces and military cyber operations, to the post. It is understood that the British Ministry of Defence also supported Patrick, but the prime minister opposed this candidate and selected former First Admiral Tony Radakin. It is understood that this is because of the latter's naval background, which is seen as crucial to the Johnson administration's ambitions to "build better global trade links." Radakin will officially succeed Army General Sir Nick Carter on 30 November.
Previously, Rear Admiral Holmes, a 54-year-old former marine corps commander-in-chief, was found dead at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, over the weekend, with no suspicious circumstances at the scene. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail revealed that, according to Holmes' lifetime, Ladagin had secretly "made him bad" for him. The two used to be close friends but fell out this year over some changes in the Marine Corps. The dispute led to Major General Holmes stepping down as commander-in-chief in April, when he was only halfway through his three-year appointment.
The Daily Mail found through its investigation that Holmes was deeply disappointed in Radagin. The Marines were part of the Royal Navy, and Radakin was his superior.
A directive from Radakin's office included a gag order prohibiting Marine Corps officers from discussing key issues with colleagues, including with U.S. Marine Corps commander Gen. David Berger.
Rear Admiral Holmes was also warned that he was "expected to play a more limited role" in the Marine Corps. Holmes was deeply disturbed by the tone of Radakin's speech, and Holmes wrote to a friend: "I had a very difficult year, and I felt defeated. Being 'crushed' by a man who has no military judgment and only knows how to look at his appearance, without being listened to... I don't believe Radakin, it's too bad. terrible! You should see the tone of some of the emails I received from Radakin. Basically imposing his authority and keeping me constrained. ”
"He's talking to himself not letting me touch the ministers, he's not in control of this army yet. But I know that General Berger recognized my concerns (this was another thing that, given my position, Radakin ordered me not to get involved)... Radakin thought he had a relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps, but it was me who General Berger wanted to talk to. ”
After a series of heated debates between the two over the future of Holmes' position, Radagin's efforts to get the Marine Corps commander to align himself reached their peak late last year. In a document distributed to senior officials, Radakin wrote: "I (Radakin) will be in contact with the Minister and our international partners. The debate must be moderated, preferably stopped, and I have the authority to do so. Major General Holmes' international activities will cease. The Marine Corps' focus is on ensuring that the service fulfills its mission, seeking opportunities for enhanced integration with the Royal Navy and preparing for a more limited role as a Marine Corps from April 2021. ”
The two are also said to disagree on a closer integration of the Marine Corps within the Navy — an integration that was resisted by Rear Admiral Holmes. According to media reports, Major General Holmes complained in a text message to a friend that Radagin "paid too much attention to appearance," supposedly referring to a mockery of his height — he wasn't tall.
But he was beloved by the Marine Corps, and during his service he took part in all the military conflicts involved in Britain and received the Distinguished Service Medal for commanding troops.
Radakin has been described as an "outstanding military leader" and as the leader of the British Navy, he deployed more naval personnel on the front lines and more ships at sea. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, he led British troops to evacuate British citizens and Afghans by air from Kabul.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: "We extend our condolences, prayers and deepest sympathy to the family of Rear Admiral Holmes. Their losses are the greatest and the most painful. The entire Navy is and will always be with him," Rear Admiral Holmes's family declined to comment.
(Editor: YZS)