Decorated naval captain is removed from his post after ‘sending suggestive messages to female crew member’
- Commander Tom Knott MBE has been removed from his post over the weekend
- He allegedly sent ‘suggestive messages’ to a woman sailor under his command
- Commander Knott, 39, was removed as captain of HMS Trent after the allegation
A decorated naval captain has been removed from his post for allegedly sending ‘suggestive messages’ to a woman sailor under his command.
Commander Tom Knott MBE is said to have sent ‘amorous and inappropriate texts’ to a junior member of his ship’s company and was removed as captain of HMS Trent over the weekend.
It comes as the First Sea Lord launched an urgent investigation last week after the Mail exposed widespread allegations of abuse, misogyny and sexual harassment in the Royal Navy.
Commander Knott, 39, was said to have bombarded a female member of his crew with the messages after an alcohol fuelled night out at a foreign port with his ship’s company.
Commander Tom Knott MBE has been removed from his post over the weekend
Commander Tom Knott MBE is said to have sent ‘amorous and inappropriate texts’ to a junior member of his ship’s company. File image of HMS Trent
The captain was swiftly removed from the warship which carries out Nato duties in the Mediterranean as part of a counter-terrorism mission in the region.
A Royal Navy source told Mail Plus: ‘Command and alcohol doesn’t mix – one too many in this case resulted in totally unacceptable behaviour.
‘It made his positon completely untenable and was in contravention with the code of social conduct.’
The previously celebrated captain is now the subject of a wider investigation which will which will determine his future employability in the navy.
The former commander was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2013 for defending Gibraltar’s territorial waters.
He was also presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 2019 which is awarded in recognition for 15 years of ‘exemplary service’.
The Royal Navy is thought to be moving quickly to stamp out bad behaviour after a number of whistle-blowers exposed allegations of abuse in the Mail last week.
‘Of course, one case is one too many but we would like to think we are turning a corner,’ the Navy source added.
A number of women including former lieutenant Sophie Brook have spoken out to expose the mistreatment of women – including allegations of serious sexual assaults – in the Submarine Service.
A number of women including former lieutenant Sophie Brook (pictured) have spoken out to expose the mistreatment of women – including allegations of serious sexual assaults – in the Submarine Service
Now a former officer has come forward to expose a similar culture on the surface fleet.
The latest whistle-blower said that women on the Navy’s ships were subjected to sexual harassment on a daily basis which included having their underwear stolen and being asked for sexual favours.
Last week Admiral Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said an investigation had been launched.
‘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,’ he said.
‘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.’
Knott declined to comment because the investigation is continuing.
Source: Read Full Article
