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CLUBMARINE
THE Commander of a £1billion Royal Navy nuclear submarine may have sunk his career by throwing a boozy rave and barbecue.
He ignored orders over the coronavirus lockdown when hunter-killer sub HMS Trenchant docked at Devonport, Plymouth.
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Crew members were seen swilling beer on the sidings as two shipmates acted as DJs.
Techno music could be heard miles away, with stunned witnesses describing scenes as “like an Ibiza beach party”.
Two lower ranking seamen were hauled over the coals for refusing to comply with a senior naval base officer who told them to end the party.
A source said: “Some have sympathy as it was about raising morale after so long at sea.
“But it was a direct order to the Commanding Officer that he wasn’t allowed a barbecue. He said under Queen’s regulations he was allowed to do what he liked with the ship’s company.
“He got referred to the captain of the base who referred him to the Rear Admiral of Submarines.”
The sub had been on manoeuvres for months — but the Commander had been briefed about coronavirus lockdown as he re-entered British waters.
The source added: “The Commander had little awareness of what was going on at home with the pandemic. But he was arrogant. It is very
unlikely he will ever command the sub again.”
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An insider added: “Throwing a barbecue when everyone else is unable to is not a good look.”
A Royal Navy spokesperson told The Sun: “An investigation is underway. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The 31-year-old Trenchant is in service for another year after construction delays prevented its replacement joining the fleet.
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