The RAF has effectively halted job offers to white male recruits in order to meet ‘impossible’ diversity targets, defence sources claim.

It has raised concerns that by prioritising race or gender over whether someone is actually the best person for the job, the UK’s security could be compromised.

A spokesperson for the RAF denied there was any row, but the head of its recruitment team is said to have resigned in protest.

She left her post over concerns that the new approach to hiring, however temporary, could undermine the effectiveness of the service, according to sources.

While the service says there has been no change in policy, whistleblowers claim there has been an ‘effective pause’ in hiring white men.

One accused Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the RAF’s head, of apparently being willing to compromise security for the sake of boosting diversity.

While that aim is important, sources say meeting ‘impossible’ targets shouldn’t come at the expense of the service’s ability – especially with current tensions over Russia and China.

One source told Sky News that Sir Mike ‘needs to be hauled up by the Ministry of Defence and told: “This is the defence agenda, get on it”.’

Conservative Party leadership contender Rishi Sunak weighed in, with a campaign spokesperson saying: ‘The only thing that should matter in recruitment is the content of your character, not your sex or the colour of your skin.

‘That the Ministry of Defence would allow Britain’s security to potentially be put at risk by a drive for so-called ‘diversity’ is not only disgraceful, it is dangerous.’

Former cabinet minister Sajid Javid told Sky: ‘I don’t think any organisation, whether it’s the RAF or any other public or private organisation, should be recruiting on the basis of one’s race.

‘Of course, we want to see a diverse workforce, we want to see all talents come through.

‘And I happen to think having more diversity actually increases the productivity of your workforce. But it should not be based on race – whether it’s black, white or anything.’

The RAF did not address questions over the head of recruitment’s resignation, as it does not typically comment on individuals.

But a spokesperson for the service said: ‘There is no pause in Royal Air Force recruitment and no new policy with regards to meeting in-year recruitment requirements.

‘Royal Air Force commanders will not shy away from the challenges we face building a service that attracts and recruits talent from every part of the UK workforce.

‘As with the Royal Navy and British Army, we are doing everything we can to encourage recruiting from under-represented groups and ensure we have a diverse workforce.

‘The Royal Air Force has a well-earned reputation for operational excellence that is founded on the quality of all our people. We will always seek to recruit the best talent available to us.’

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