Posted on 12/14/2004 11:23:45 AM PST by yankeedame
Tue 14 Dec 2004
5:55pm (UK)
'Bullying' commander ordered off his warship
By Becky Barrow
(Filed: 14/12/2004)
A Royal Navy commander has been ordered off his warship in a highly unusual move following allegations of bullying and intimidation.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night that Commander David Axon was told to leave his ship, Somerset, at Gibraltar and return immediately to Britain rather than complete the journey back from Iraq aboard the ship.
Cmdr Axon The spokesman said Cmdr Axon had been told to leave the ship as a result of "an equal opportunities investigation following a complaint from a junior officer". He said: "At this point, no decision on the commanding officer's future has been taken.
"He has been invited to comment on the findings so far. It is not, however, considered appropriate that he remain on the ship at present and he has delegated temporary command to his executive officer, who will bring the ship back to the UK."
The situation aboard the Somerset, which is expected back in this country in the next few days, was considered so serious that it was decided to bring Cmdr Axon back to Britain immediately.
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said the commander was removed from his ship on Friday as a result of his "overtly firm management style". A source said Cmdr Axon had "crossed the line".
It is understood that he was known for his strict management style on board Somerset, which has a 185-strong company.
Born in Leicester, Cmdr Axon, who is in his 40s, was raised and educated in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He joined the Navy nearly 20 years ago in 1986, a career which has included a "hugely enjoyable" 14 months as the Royal Barge Officer on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
He was appointed commander of Somerset in December 2003.
According to the Royal Navy website, Cmdr Axon lives in Southsea, Hampshire, with his partner, Gail, a naval barrister, and his hobbies are now "confined to decorating (when allowed and under close supervision) and extensive dog walking".
The Ministry of Defence insisted last night that it takes "all such matters very seriously" and promised to act "swiftly".
He confirmed that an equal opportunities investigation has been instigated following a complaint from a junior officer.
During a varied career, Cmdr Axon has conducted anti-drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean as well as several stints in Iraq. He has a Masters degree in Defence Studies from King's College, London.
Somerset, a Type 23, 4,900-ton frigate, is returning to Britain after being deployed in the North Arabian Gulf.
He's shackes up w/ a female "partner"? His hobbies are "extensive dog walking" "decorating (when allowed and under close supervision)"?? And we're supposed to believe this guy is "bullying" and "intimadating".
(sigh)...another sterotype lies shattered in the dust...
Thank heavens Sir Winston didn't live to see the day.
"Mistahhhh ChristIANNNNNNN!!!!"
The case of the "Missing Strawberries" -- Redux.
Sounds to me like he's under close house arrest.
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
You, yes you, stand still, laddie
When we grew up and went to school
There were certain teachers
Who would hurt the children in any way they could
By pouring their derision
Upon anything we did
Exposing every weakness
However carefully hidden by the kids
/ Am - / / Am C Am - / Am - / C - / Am - / G - Am - - - /
But in the town it was well known
When they got home at night
Their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them
Within inches of their lives
His Executive Officer Mr Christian will bring the ship home by way of Pitcairn Island, Where his crew have renamed the ship the "Bounty"
Yanking ( ya like that? ) the skipper off the ship is a high level of pre-judgement of guilt. Very unusual action, fore the type of complaint. It had to be made up the chain of command, from aboard ship, and even if exonerated, his career is effectively over.
I guess I'll withhold judgment until I see how this turns out, but there are some very odd details indeed.
Maybe he got infected with odd ideas by Prince Charles whilst he was on The Brittania.
The case of the "Missing Strawberries" -- Redux
His nickname is "Old Yellow Stain" and his hobby is juggling ball bearings.
This is extremely atypical - they would have done this for a good reason. This is the military we're talking about, not the Labour Party.
Regards, Ivan
---my favorite Churchill quote vis-a-vis' the Royal Navy: "The traditions of the navy are rum, sodomy and the lash"--stated to some admiral who kept blathering about "the traditions of the navy" in some crisis conference at the beginning of WW2--
I think in the states we refer to this as 'sexual harassment'
Master and Commander my arse
There's a lot more than this articles suggests. I don't believe what is presented is sufficient for such an extraordinary action by superiors.
If the man is innocent, his career has been nonetheless destroyed. He should have been allowed four more days to bring his ship back without the disgrace of being removed from command; in short, he was found guilty without trial.
" He's shackes up w/ a female "partner"? "
I do not want to start something or assume anything, but Gail can be a guy's name also. Just do a google search on 'Mr. Gail'. You will see many hits on guys that have Gail as their name.
" The British Navy is now so PC that one is subject to having one's command pulled if one looks cross-eyed at a female officer."
I think it more likely he offended a Muslim officer and will need to be disciplined to show how fair and sensitive the Brits are.
Captain Jack Aubrey, R.N. never liked having any women on his ships. For some reason, he considered them more trouble than they were worth. A close reading of the series of books shows that he was right.
Bum, sodomy, and the lash BUMP
LOL. (Meant to do that) :)
According to rumor, 'er Majesty's ships are dry these days.
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