Former top commander accused of sexual misconduct returns prestigious military decoration

Retired general Jonathan Vance, a former topcommanderwho set off the military's ongoing sexual misconduct crisis, has returned his Order of Military Merit, the government announced on Friday.

Vance made a request to give up the decoration that was approved by the Governor General on April 20, according to a report published in the Canada Gazette.

Vance in March pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after trying to contactMaj. Kellie Brennan, his former subordinate now at the centre of asexual misconduct investigation into Vance'sbehaviour within the military.

Vance has sinceacknowledged a past sexual relationship with Brennan and confirmed that he fathered a child with her.

The revelations about Vance set off a major crisis in the military and a cascade of other claims of sexual misconduct involving senior officers.An unprecedented number of senior leaders have been removedfrom top jobs since February 2021 in connection with sexual misconductclaims.

The Order of Military Merit "recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces," according to the Governor General of Canada.