Sexual assault and harassment have 'no place anywhere' in Navy, Second Sea Lord says

The Second Sea Lord says sexual assault and harassment have "no place anywhere" in the Royal Navy, and there will be a "presumption of discharge from the service" for anyone found engaging in such behaviour.

Vice Admiral Martin Connell was speaking after the Navy's head ordered an investigation into "abhorrent" allegations of inappropriate conduct in the Submarine Service. The investigation will be led by a senior female officer.

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In a video posted on the Royal Navy Twitter account, Vice Admiral Connell said there had been reports of similar behaviour "elsewhere across the service" and stressed "we will examine the evidence without fear or favour and we will not cease until we have determined the truth".

"We will not hesistate to take action against anyone who has demonstrated inappropriate behaviours," he reassured.

Following the allegations made ion a national newspaper, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said that while most Royal Navy personnel enjoy rewarding careers, for some, predominantly women, their experience has been affected by inappropriate sexualised behaviour.

It says it accepts that more needs to be done and that it is improving reporting mechanisms for sexual offences.

VAdm Connell said: "I do acknowledge that some people have had unwelcome, and, frankly, unacceptable experiences, and I am determined to change that.

"Just one person's experience of unacceptable behaviours is one too many.

"To those we have let down, we sincerely apologise."

The Second Sea Lord said the Navy has new training, and a new leadership centre of excellence, to ensure all personnel are role models for the standards demanded of the Senior Service.

"We have already implemented many changes, but acknowlege that, as a modern Navy, there is more that needs to be done, which we will outline in the coming weeks and months," he explained.

"We all have a duty to challenge and call out unacceptable whenever we see it. This is everyone's responsibility and together we can make the Royal Navy the best place to serve."

Earlier this year, the MOD announced a zero-tolerance policy for sexual offences, aligning the Royal Navy, RAF, and Army under one approach to dealing with incidences with the aim of enabling services to better support victims and secure justice for them.