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Every sailor on board 135-strong HMS Vigilant was instructed to report to the submarine’s deputy commander, Lieutenant Commander Michael Seal, to confirm they’d obeyed the “direct order”. The breach of protocol has infuriated sailors and senior officers, with one former Admiral last night branding it “an illegal act by people who had something to hide”. It was issued four days before claims that the nuclear submarine’s captain, Commander Stuart Armstrong, had been involved in a illicit relationship with a female crew member came to light. Last night she was named as Assistant Weapons Engineering Officer Sub-Lieutenant Rebecca Edwards. The Vanguard-Class submarine, part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, had crossed the Atlantic to take part in so-called "Demonstration and Shakedown Operations” with US counterparts.They included the test firing of an unarmed Trident II D5 Test Missile.

NC The breach of protocol has infuriated sailors and senior officers


However, even as the boat docked at the King’s Bay naval submarine base in Georgia, a complaint against Cdr Armstrong had already made its way up the chain of command. It is news of that complaint, which had already led to the recalling of its captain. that caused HMS Vigilant’s second-in-command to hastily issue the rogue order. Ironically Ms Edwards failed to obey it, leading to her images appearing from the personal Facebook account which is only deleted on Friday. Lt Cmdr Seal was subsequently also suspended after parallel allegations were made against him. Dated Wednesday, 27 September 2017, the text message instructed: “All Ships Company are with immediate effect to permanently delete all Social Media accounts, these include but are not limited to Facebook, FB Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and any other social media utility.


“Once complete reports are to be made to DEPCO (Deputy Commander) NLT (no later than) Today 271700Q SEP 17.” It adds: “All personnel are to return onboard full PCS (Personal Clothing System - blue shirts) with Beret for a clear lower deck (all personnel to muster) 281730Q SEP 17. “This constitutes a direct order. Ensure you pass this information on to any personnel that you see to avoid them failing to achieve the order.“ The clumsily attempted cover-up failed, however. Captains of Britain’s four Vanguard-class submarines are considered “the best of the best”. Their appointments, which follow a raft of psychological evaluations, are personally sanctioned by the defence secretary.

GETTY Every sailor on the HMS Vigilant was instructed to confirm they'd obeyed the 'direct order'

HMS Vigilant was supposed to be “readying herself to take up her role in the deterrent patrol cycle, a cycle which has been unbroken since 1969,” said the Royal Navy. But the incident has led to plummeting morale among her crew, with at least five officers and other ranks reportedly asking to be transferred. Last night one sailor, based on another Vanguard submarine, told how he had been contacted by a member of Vigilant’s crew. “He told me that there were lots off rumours bouncing around the boat, though he didn't see anything untoward himself,“ said the Able Seaman. “But he says the feeling on board is very tense and I can only say he will be glad to get back to the UK.”

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