UK Army’s most senior trans officer warns trans personnel are unlikely to serve beyond 2026

The British Army’s most senior trans officer, Colonel Grace Sangster-Wall, has warned that trans personnel are unlikely to serve beyond 2026. 

On Tuesday (23 September), during a keynote speech at the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards, Sangster-Wall made a powerful statement by removing her military clothing. 

As the crowd of 450 participants looked on, as per BFBS Forces News, the colonel explained that she was ensuring there was “no misunderstanding” that her comments reflected her personal views, and not those of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 

She said: ”The MOD has 26 years of experience integrating the trans minority into service; into an organisation where its people work, live and fight together.

“But in the same way that there was no evidence to justify the ban on LGBT+ volunteers in the 50s and 60s, there is no evidence to justify a regression in the rights, dignity, opportunity and working experience of the current serving trans minority.”

‘Increasingly unlikely’

Sangster-Wall, who serves as Provost Marshal in the Royal Military Police, claimed that trans personnel were unlikely to be able to continue serving by the end of next year. 

“The harsh reality is that it’s unknown if, and increasingly unlikely that, I and those trans service persons that I support, will be able to serve into and beyond 2026.”

Following her speech, the colonel told BFBS Forces News that she had sought legal advice prior to making the comments, hence the removal of her uniform. 

Her comments follow US president Donald Trump announcing a ban on trans personnel serving in the military. 

On the campaign trail, and following the election in November, Trump vowed restore his previous ban which was which took effect during his first term in office in 2019 but was subsequently overturned by Joe Biden in 2021.

When contacted for comment by PinkNews, a MoD spokesperson said:

“We do not recognise the 2026 date and reject it. Defence is proud of all our LGBT+ military and civilian personnel and the significant contributions they make to ensure our security, support our national interests, and safeguard our prosperity.

“It is a priority for us to ensure Defence is an inclusive environment for everyone. We can only meet security challenges when all our people know their skills are recognised, their individuality respected, and they can achieve their full potential.

“We will be guided by the revised EHRC Code of Practice when it becomes available.”

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