Nuclear submarine commander fired after throwing rave barbecue in dockyard during lockdown

Commander Jonathan Lewis and crew had been at sea for four months when he allowed the party to go ahead

The commander of a hunter-killer submarine has been removed from his job after throwing a “rave barbecue” party for his crew during the coronavirus lockdown.

The nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Trenchant, had returned to Devonport naval base in Plymouth after four months at sea when Commander Jonathan Lewis allowed the party to go ahead.

A video of the party, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows two crew members apparently manning a set of DJ decks, as loud dance music blasts across the dockside where dozens of other sailors appear to be at tables.

Crew who appear to be still on duty are seen standing evenly spaced along the access ramp to the vessel.

Meanwhile on the casing of the nuclear submarine itself, cooks wearing whites appear to be manning a barbecue.

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A source told the BBC some sailors were drinking alcohol, and a source quoted by The Times said the party was a “rave in the dockyard”.

Cdr Lewis was relieved of his command following a Royal Navy probe.

A Navy spokesperson told The Independent: “We can confirm that the commanding officer of HMS Trenchant has been removed from command.

“While we are aware of the media interest in this issue, we are bound by employer confidentiality not to comment any further at this time.”

Cdr Lewis will remain in the Navy, but be assigned a different role.