Navy investigates submarine sexual harassment claims
The head of the Royal Navy has ordered an investigation into “abhorrent” allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the submarine service.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, said sexual assault and harassment has no place in the Royal Navy, adding that anyone who is found culpable will be held accountable, regardless of rank.
The Chief of the Naval Staff responded to the allegations personally on Twitter.
He said: “I am deeply disturbed to hear of allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the submarine service and I want to reassure our people, and anyone who is reading this, that any activity which falls short of the highest of standards the Royal Navy sets itself is totally unacceptable and not a true reflection of what service life should be.
“These allegations are abhorrent. Sexual assault and harassment has no place in the Royal Navy and will not be tolerated.
“I have directed my senior team to investigate these allegations thoroughly.
“Anyone who is found culpable will be held accountable for their actions regardless of their rank or status,” he said.
The statement from the First Sea Lord comes after allegations were reported in the Daily Mail.
It said submariners compiled a “crush depth rape list” in which women were ranked in the order they should be raped in a catastrophic event, and that women were frequently screamed at, called sexually abusive names and hit with clipboards and pens.
Former lieutenant Sophie Brook, 30, said: “The best thing I ever did was leave the Navy but I worry about the women I left behind. It was a constant campaign of sexual bullying.”
She said she loved the job, but added: “It’s just unfortunate the ‘old boys’ club’ makes it such a hostile and misogynistic place.”
The newspaper said Brook left the Navy when she was investigated for sharing sensitive information about her submarine’s movement in an email.
She resigned in January but was formally dismissed in June and handed a suspended prison sentence.
Another whistleblower told The Mail that women are constantly pestered for sex.