The captain of the Royal Navy's largest and most powerful ship ever has been sacked from his role for driving an official car on weekends, according to reports.

Nick Cooke-Priest had been captain of HMS Queen Elizabeth since October last year - a vessel described by the navy as an "awe-inspiring warship" capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft.

It is believed that major Royal Navy warships and their captains are loaned a car for use on official duties.

However, according to The Sun, an official investigation found he had used the Ford Galaxy as if it was his own and found him guilty of an "error of judgement".

Commodore Cooke-Priest was never warned that using the car for personal journeys was in breach of rules and paid for the petrol himself, according to reports.

A former Royal Navy Captain told Sky News: "This was an honest mistake that should have been dealt with swiftly at flotilla level.

"It wasn't and has now escalated far too far. The navy hasn't got enough people as it is - they certainly shouldn't be dismissing their very best."

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "We can confirm Captain Nick Cooke-Priest has been reassigned to a new role.

"We can only say that management action is ongoing and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further."

Commodore Cooke-Priest joined the Royal Navy in 1990 and initially specialised as a Lynx helicopter pilot.

In 2009 he was promoted to Commander, escorting the Queen during a royal tour on HMS Kent before later taking charge of HMS Iron Duke, and HMS Bulwark, the Fleet Flag Ship.

In 2016 he was awarded an OBE.


https://news.sky.com/story/hms-queen-elizabeth-captain-sacked-for-using-official-car-at-weekends-11722043

I still saw a two star army jeep at shoprite this morning

Kai

Country where ignorance is not an excuse before the law.

The punishment is a bit high handed coming from my background in Nigeria where our big men have several vehicles at their beck and call to run errands for their wives even during office hours.

These guys are poor naturally if you know what I mean and thus are very mindful of cost. Funny how they will want to be chauffeured once they enter Africa.

The tax payers money should count for meaningful ventures unlike what is obtained here. Too harsh a judgement though.