Coronavirus: Royal Navy submarine lockdown party captain sacked

The captain of the HMS Trenchant has been sacked following an inquiry by the Royal Navy

The commander of a nuclear-powered submarine who allowed his crew to hold a barbecue party has been sacked.

Cdr Jonathan Lewis, captain of hunter-killer submarine HMS Trenchant, allowed the party during the lockdown at Devonport dockyard in Plymouth.

A video shared on social media showed the crew dancing and laughing on the dockside after the submarine returned to the city for repairs.

The captain has been relieved of his command following a Royal Navy probe.

HMS Trenchant had been on patrol before having to return to Devonport to undergo repairs

Naval sources told the BBC that Cdr Lewis had been advised both by his senior officers on shore and some of his own officers on the submarine not to go ahead with the party.

A senior defence source said it was one of a number of instances that had undermined trust and credibility in his command.

Cdr Lewis will remain in the Royal Navy but will be assigned another role.