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HMS Queen Elizabeth captain flown off ship in 'company car' row | HMS Queen Elizabeth captain flown off ship in 'company car' row |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The captain of the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has been removed from the ship amid claims he misused an MoD car. | The captain of the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has been removed from the ship amid claims he misused an MoD car. |
Commodore Nick Cooke-Priest was flown off the ship as it was anchored in the Firth of Forth. | Commodore Nick Cooke-Priest was flown off the ship as it was anchored in the Firth of Forth. |
The Navy said it was a "precautionary measure" in an "ongoing investigation". | The Navy said it was a "precautionary measure" in an "ongoing investigation". |
It earlier said Cdre Cooke-Priest was being "reassigned" duties, but would sail from Rosyth on the Firth of Forth to Portsmouth as planned. | It earlier said Cdre Cooke-Priest was being "reassigned" duties, but would sail from Rosyth on the Firth of Forth to Portsmouth as planned. |
Despite being removed from the ship, it is understood he remains officially in charge and will formally hand over to a new commanding officer of the £3bn carrier later this month. | Despite being removed from the ship, it is understood he remains officially in charge and will formally hand over to a new commanding officer of the £3bn carrier later this month. |
'Unaccounted miles' | 'Unaccounted miles' |
Cdre Cooke-Priest, who joined the Royal Navy in 1990, has been in command of HMS Queen Elizabeth since October last year. | |
Last week it was revealed the Navy was investigating reports he had used his Ministry of Defence car - a Ford Galaxy - for his own personal trips. | Last week it was revealed the Navy was investigating reports he had used his Ministry of Defence car - a Ford Galaxy - for his own personal trips. |
Anyone who has use of an MoD vehicle can only use it for official business, with each mile needing to be recorded. | Anyone who has use of an MoD vehicle can only use it for official business, with each mile needing to be recorded. |
But the BBC has been told that thousands of miles on the clock of Cdre Cooke-Priest's vehicle have not been accounted for. | But the BBC has been told that thousands of miles on the clock of Cdre Cooke-Priest's vehicle have not been accounted for. |
In a statement a Navy spokesman said: "In light of the ongoing investigation, as a precautionary measure, to protect the individual and the ship's company, the Royal Navy has decided that Captain Cooke-Priest will not be at sea with HMS Queen Elizabeth." | In a statement a Navy spokesman said: "In light of the ongoing investigation, as a precautionary measure, to protect the individual and the ship's company, the Royal Navy has decided that Captain Cooke-Priest will not be at sea with HMS Queen Elizabeth." |
The Royal Navy has already been accused of handling this affair badly, and its latest actions may make matters worse. | The Royal Navy has already been accused of handling this affair badly, and its latest actions may make matters worse. |
Removing a commanding officer from his ship while still at sea is nothing short of brutal, particularly when many have already spoken out in his support. | Removing a commanding officer from his ship while still at sea is nothing short of brutal, particularly when many have already spoken out in his support. |
But it's a sign that Cdre Cooke-Priest had already lost the trust of his superiors - and at least some of his crew. | But it's a sign that Cdre Cooke-Priest had already lost the trust of his superiors - and at least some of his crew. |
Not a mutiny, but certainly a question of confidence. | Not a mutiny, but certainly a question of confidence. |
The offence of using a work car for personal trips may appear to be relatively minor. But to the top brass it was more serious. | The offence of using a work car for personal trips may appear to be relatively minor. But to the top brass it was more serious. |
Navy sources have told the BBC he had repeatedly ignored warnings. | Navy sources have told the BBC he had repeatedly ignored warnings. |
It wasn't just about breaking rules. It was seen as a sign of "arrogance and sense of entitlement". | It wasn't just about breaking rules. It was seen as a sign of "arrogance and sense of entitlement". |
Friends of Cdre Cooke-Priest still plead that he was ignorant of the rules. But it is hard to see how his career will recover. | Friends of Cdre Cooke-Priest still plead that he was ignorant of the rules. But it is hard to see how his career will recover. |
What was at first described as "administrative" action might now turn into more serious disciplinary proceedings. | What was at first described as "administrative" action might now turn into more serious disciplinary proceedings. |