EXCLUSIVETears of whistleblower who faced abuse from officers on nuclear sub as First Sea Lord apologises - and sacks 18 men - for bullying and sex attacks on women first exposed by the Mail
The head of the Royal Navy offered a grovelling apology yesterday for sexual attacks, misogyny and the bullying of women on submarines – as exposed by the Daily Mail.
The head of the Royal Navy offered a grovelling apology yesterday for sexual attacks, misogyny and the bullying of women on submarines – as exposed by the Daily Mail.
He admitted crew members had suffered intolerable harassment and abuse while serving on Britains nuclear deterrent, and revealed that 18 men had now been sacked.
Announcing the findings of a damning inquiry, Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, told a news conference: I am truly sorry.
He gave an unreserved apology to the Mails brave whistleblower, Sophie Brook, the first female warfare officer, who lifted the lid on the horrifying reality of sexual harassment beneath the waves since the ban on women serving on submarines was lifted in 2011.
Ms Brook, 32, was put on a vile rape list drawn up by sick male colleagues and subjected to lewd and humiliating behaviour.
Sophie Brook (pictured) was put on a vile rape list drawn up by sick male colleagues in the Navy
Sophie Brook pictured in Royal Navy regalia during her career. Ms Brooks brave decision to go public – in October 2022 prompted a torrent of claims
Ms Brook, a former lieutenant, said she had spent her entire career terrified of the Press, but as it turns out, they were the only people who heard what I had to say.
She praised the Mail for uncovering the truth of her shocking story, which had fallen on deaf ears at Navy HQ. Yesterday Ms Brook was invited to the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall for an unprecedented personal apology. The First Sea Lord said: I apologised to her personally and unreservedly, praising her courage in coming forward.
Last night a source close to Sir Ben said: He has praised the bravery and courage it took for Ms Brook to come forward and he recognises the role played by the Daily Mail.
Our exclusive investigation – and Ms Brooks brave decision to go public – in October 2022 prompted a torrent of claims.
A string of other whistleblowers came forward to describe a horrendous culture of sexual abuse and harassment in the service, into which the Navy launched an immediate inquiry.
It concluded yesterday and revealed it had carried out 28 investigations into unacceptable sexual behaviour resulting in 18 personnel being sacked, four demoted and six given reprimands.
The Navy published a 140-page report into its findings, about two-thirds of which is completely obscured by a security censors black ink, covering up shocking details of the abuses.
But Sir Ben, right, said he had accepted its recommendations in full.
The head of the Royal Navy offered a grovelling apology yesterday for sexual attacks, misogyny and the bullying of women on submarines. (Pictured, HMS Vanguard arrives back at HM Naval Base Clyde)
Ms Brook compelled the Navy to take immediate action to ensure that no one else is subjected to the systemic misogyny and discrimination that has long plagued the Submarine Service
They include a zero tolerance approach to abuse, with commanders drilled in values towards women and submarine crews being interviewed before and after each deployment to check for healthy working cultures.
Sir Ben added: The investigation has confirmed misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours – and this is intolerable.
He declared that behaviours in the past that may have been normalised have no place today, and added: Our people must be able to perform their duties with dignity, pride and respect.
Trailblazer Ms Brook, one of the first women to join the submarine service, told how women were frequently screamed at, called c***s, and hit with clipboards and pens.
She said she was assaulted as she slept in her bed by a man of a higher rank, had her bras stolen from the laundry and caught engineers sniffing womens underwear. When she once asked to be excused for a medical appointment in front of a group of men, an officer told her she could have the procedure in front of them if it was a cervical examination.
Sir Ben also offered a public apology to any personnel, past or present, that have been subject to any form of unacceptable behaviour during their time in service.
He said: I am truly sorry. While much has been done to improve the experiences of personnel in the Royal Navy in recent years, such as establishing zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviours and improving avenues to raise concerns, there is more to be done.
Ms Brook compelled the Navy to take immediate action to ensure that no one else is subjected to the systemic misogyny and discrimination that has long plagued the Submarine Service.
She added: No one should have to endure the harassment, abuse and mental toll that I and countless others have faced.
Whistleblower broke down in tears after receiving apology
The whistleblower who exposed the Submarine Services sex abuse scandal broke down in tears after receiving an unprecedented apology from the head of the Royal Navy yesterday.
Sophie Brook worked with the Mail to raise the alarm over allegations of misogyny, sexual abuse and harassment aboard the countrys nuclear submarines.
The courageous 32-year-old revealed in this newspaper in October 2022 how she had been driven to self-harm after being assaulted, harassed and abused by senior officers.
Announcing the findings of a damning inquiry, Sir Ben Key (pictured), the First Sea Lord, told a news conference: I am truly sorry
Her courage compelled more victims to come forward anonymously to tell their stories of abuse, including rape and bullying
After a two-year long review of the claims, she described the moment she finally received an unreserved and personal apology from First Sea Lord Sir Ben Key.
When he offered me the full apology I just burst into tears. It does feel like vindication, its a relief... I finally feel heard, Ms Brook said last night. However, she added: Even though it has come to an end on paper, it (the abuse she suffered) is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The mother-to-be was given a briefing by the Navy chief on the new report, which confirms that intolerable misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours occurred within the Submarine Service. Ms Brook, who became the UKs first female warfare officer after joining the service in 2014 and was on course to become the first female captain of a submarine, had tried in vain to report the allegations before eventually turning to the Mail after leaving the service.
Her courage compelled more victims to come forward anonymously to tell their stories of abuse, including rape and bullying.
Ms Brook described the publication of the report as a critical moment, but said she hopes the words are backed up by actions, adding: The report highlights the systemic failures I, and many others, experienced firsthand... It is my hope that this report is not just a token gesture, but a starting point for real, substantive change.
