Canada’s vice chief of defence staff has been removed from duty — but the military is keeping mum on the reason.

Military brass have offered no word on a charge, no details, no explanation and no timeline for releasing information publicly. The removal of the second-in-command for Canada’s military is unprecedented — but despite repeated questions, no one in the military or in government is saying why this happened, or whether national security was compromised in any way.

All we know for certain is this: On Monday morning the office of Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of defence staff, confirmed in a brief statement that Vice Admiral Mark Norman was being temporarily relieved of his duties.

“The (Chief of Defence Staff) has temporarily relieved the (Vice Chief of Defence Staff), (Vice Admiral) Mark Norman, from the performance of military duty,” said Lt.-Col. Jason Proulx, spokesperson for Vance. “For the time being, he will not be carrying out the functions of (Vice Chief of Defence Staff). (Vice Admiral) Ron Lloyd has been appointed as the interim (Vice Chief of Defence Staff). At this time, we have no additional information to provide.”

The magnitude of this removal quickly set the Ottawa rumour mill grinding — but so far the only hint comes from an unnamed source quoted in the Globe and Mail suggesting the removal may be linked to allegations that Norman leaked “pretty high-level secret documents.”

Military police say there is no investigation of Norman underway. Local Ottawa police say the same.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan offered his support for Vance’s decision but offered no further clarification.

“I fully support the decision taken by the CDS to relieve the VCDS from the performance of military duty,” Sajjan said.

James Bezan, Conservative defence critic, said it is unusual for the government and military not to be providing details but acknowledged the very serious concerns both of Canadians and of all those who may be involved.

“The allegations against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman are very troubling and must be taken seriously. Our military leaders are obligated under the Security of Information Act and the National Defence Act to protect national secrets and confidential information. This is paramount to our national security. These obligations must be respected by all members within the military’s chain of command,” Bezan told iPolitics.

“The Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence have not provided any reason as to why Vice-Admiral Norman was temporary relieved of his duties as Vice Chief of Defence Staff. Until such time we will avoid speculating on these allegations and allow due process to take place. This situation is unprecedented and it is odd that the government and the military are not providing any details. Of course we expect all necessary pre-cautions to be taken when there are national security and privacy implications involved. However, when a decision of this magnitude is made Canadians deserve to be kept informed.”

Norman was only named to the post back in August 2016. He took over from Lt.-Gen. Guy Thibault, who retired.

Prior to becoming vice chief of defence staff, Norman had been head of the Royal Canadian Navy.

He gained a reputation during that role as an outspoken critic of political and bureaucratic inaction when it comes to procurement, and suggested political gamesmanship has hobbled the navy over the years.