Senior officer on nuclear sub probed over alleged sex offence
A WHISTLEBLOWER who raised the alarm over alleged sex abuse in the royal Navy claims britain’s Submarine Service is still a hotbed for sexual offences as another senior officer faces accusations.
Former lieutenant Sophie brook said new victims are still coming forward, with at least five women contacting her with serious claims, including rape.
It comes as the Mail learned that a senior officer, who works on nuclear submarines, is being investigated by Police Scotland in relation to an alleged sexual offence.
A royal Navy spokesman refused to reveal whether or not the senior officer involved had been suspended. She added: ‘We are aware that a member of the royal Navy is assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries regarding an alleged incident.
‘As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
The First Sea Lord launched an inquiry 18 months ago after the Mail exposed harrowing allegations made by Ms brook and several other whistleblowers.
The women revealed claims of rape, sexual assault and casual misogyny including a ‘crush death rape list’, which listed women in the order they would be raped in the event of a catastrophic event.
Ms brook, the UK’s first female warfare officer, also claimed she was sexually assaulted, punched and abused by senior officers after joining the fleet in 2014. The former lieutenant, who previously welcomed the Navy’s probe into the claims launched in october 2022, says she has been left ‘so disappointed and angry’ that there is still no conclusion.
‘The longer that it goes on, the more I think it is just going to be a whitewash and there will be no justice,’ Ms brook told the Mail. She said more victims were being abused as the probe dragged on, with at least five women reaching out to her in the past year, including at least one victim who claimed she had been raped and another who was allegedly assaulted.
She added: ‘The royal Navy still has serious sexual assaults happening. It’s clear their zero tolerance message isn’t getting through.’ Ms brook gave evidence to the inquiry along with several other whistleblowers. but she says she has been left in limbo by investigators who have failed to provide any meaningful updates since last summer or provide a timeline for the probe’s conclusion.
The royal Navy spokesman said: ‘The First Sea Lord is clear that any behaviour which falls short of the highest standards will not be tolerated and anyone found culpable will be held accountable.
‘Work around an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the Submarine Service is ongoing and given the complex nature of the allegations, it is important to take time to do this thoroughly.’
Faslane on the Clyde is the ‘core’ base for the Submarine Service.
‘It is just going to be a whitewash’