SIN TOO DEEP

Nine sailors kicked off nuke sub for coke parties amid commander sex scandal

The reports come after the sub's captain was removed while Navy chiefs investigate claims he was having an affair with female officer

emma lake

Published: 23:26, 27 Oct 2017
Updated: 5:41, 29 Oct 2017

THE navy has reportedly kicked nine sailors off a nuclear submarine at the centre of a sex scandal after they tested positive for cocaine.

Crew members of HMS Vigilant are said to tested positive for the class A drug while on duty amid reports of drug-fuelled parties.

HMS Vigilant is said to have been dubbed the 'party boat'Credit: Getty Images - Getty

The sub was docked in the US to pick up nukes when tests were carried out, the Daily Mail reports.

The reports come after the sub's captain was removed while Navy chiefs investigate claims he was having an affair with female officer in her 20s.

Sub-Lieutenant Rebecca Edwards, a weapons engineering officer, is believed to have had an “inappropriate relationship” with Commander Stuart Armstrong with claims she dressed in his uniform during boozy horseplay.

Second-in-command on board the vessel, 36-year-old Lieutenant Commander Michael Seal, is also facing allegations he had a relationship with a fellow sailor.

Rebecca Edwards was said to of had a fling with Commander Stuart Armstrong

Female officer at the centre of the nuclear sub sex scandal was allegedly wearing the captain's uniform

Another crew member is reportedly facing court martial after going AWOL while two others are said to have quit.

A major investigation is said to have been launched into the 168-strong crew's antics amid reports the vessel is known as "the party boat".

HMS Vigilant is one of the UK's four Vanguard-class submarines and carries Trident missiles and nuclear warheads.

A Navy spokeman confirmed the investigation and told the Mail: "We do not tolerate the misuse of drugs by service personnel.

"Those found to have fallen short of our high standards face being discharged from service."

HMS Vigilant holds missiles and nuclear warheadsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Five other officers have reportedly threatened to resign because of the breach of navy rules seen in the alleged relationship between Sub-Lieut Edwards and Cdr Armstrong.

No intimate relationships are allowed on board any naval vessels with the submarine housing some of the nation's Trident nuclear missiles.

But Sub-Lieut Edwards’ grandfather, Thomas Walker, 75, criticised Cdr Armstrong, 41, saying: “He should have shown more responsibility towards a young girl like that.”

A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We can confirm an investigation is under way, but it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Crew members live in confined cabins on board the subCredit: PA:Press Association

Sub-Lieut Edwards, who qualified as a submariner last year, faces a fine or demotion as a result of the inquiry.

She joined the armed forces after gaining a first-class degree in Physics from the University of Bristol.

Commander Armstrong has already been relieved of his duties while the investigation is carried out.

The second-in-command on board the vessel, 36-year-old Lieutenant Commander Michael Seal, was also put on a plane back to the UK after claims he was having a relationship with another female crew member.

The married father-of-two from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, is also facing disciplinary action.