Shock at ships sex abuse probe (From Daily Echo)
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Shock at sex abuse probe concerning Cunard liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2
12:00pm Monday 23rd January 2012 in Shipping
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2.
Cunard cruise bosses have spoken of their “deep shock” at a police probe into alleged child abuse onboard two of their luxury Southampton-based liners.
Detectives are investigating claims of sexual abuse against children alleged to have been committed by a crew member on the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth.
Police launched the inquiry into a man, who lives in Wiltshire, after a tip-off.
A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we are investigating historical allegations of child abuse by an employee of Cunard cruise liners.
“Inquiries continue. The employee no longer works for the company.
“We would like to reassure parents and the public that the police will be contacting all of the parents they need to speak to in the course of the investigation.”
The £460m Queen Mary 2, which entered service in 2004, is the flagship of Cunard’s fleet.
It can carry up to 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crew.
The smaller Queen Elizabeth was the latest addition to the Cunard fleet, entering service in 2010. It has 1,005 crew members and can accommodate up to 2,068 guests.
A Cunard spokesman said: “We are deeply shocked by these allegations as the safety and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance to us.
“A thorough police investigation is under way which we are supporting and co-operating with fully.
“Given that the police inquiry is ongoing, we cannot comment any further at this stage.”
Wiltshire Police and Cunard are working with children’s charity NSPCC to offer counselling or advice to affected families and children.
Cunard is part of the Southampton-based Carnival group – owners of the Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the coast of Italy.
The company’s three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – were controversially re-registered to Bermuda last year, replacing Southampton on the stern of the ships with Hamilton.
Cunard said it made the switch to charge passengers £1,600 for the privilege of tying the knot at sea. It said it could not conduct marriages at sea under UK law, but has been criticised for not lobbying harder for a change in the law.
