Nuclear submarine captain honoured with OBE despite major sex abuse and bullying probe

A NUCLEAR submarine captain was honoured with an OBE despite being under the spotlight in a major sex abuse and bullying probe.

Commanders brushed aside claims of abuse to put Commander Iain Fergusson forward for a gong.

The former captain of HMS Vigilant – a nuclear deterrent submarine – faced a barrage of complaints from whistleblower Sophie Brook, three of which were later upheld.

But he was appointed an OBE in June, midway through the two-year probe.

The officer who nominated him, Commodore Paul Dunn, was the same man who had ordered the misconduct investigation.

Commodore Dunn, the head of the submarine service, also awarded Cdr Fergusson a Submarine Service Award – known as a “Submarine Oscar” – a year into the investigation.

Cdr Fergusson was cleared of the most serious charge of alleged sexual assault by putting his penis in Lt Brook’s pocket.

But investigators found he licked her ear, blew on her neck and punched her in the kidneys during periscope training.

He was given a furious dressing down – which the Navy called a Crown Censure – that limits his promotion prospects.

The Sun understands he was issued a letter known as an admiral’s “severe displeasure” but was not demoted or fined.

The Navy told The Sun it had now changed the process for nominating sailors for honours such as OBEs.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “We acknowledge our process for the nomination of individuals for honours was not as rigorous as they should have been. However, this has now been rectified.

“The updated process will prevent anyone under investigation from being nominated until investigations are concluded.