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Sub captain uses Twitter to deny trawler deaths charge [Western Morning News (England)](Western Morning News (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A Westcountry submarine commander accused of causing the death of five French fishermen who died when the Bugaled Breizh sank in 2004 has protested his innocence via Twitter. Relatives of the lost crew have repeatedly claimed the Breton trawler was dragged down by a submarine off The Lizard in January 2004. A military exercise, involving several nations, was being undertaken in the area at the time with NATO vessels participating in the regular "Thursday War". However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has insisted that no Royal Navy submarine was involved in the loss of vessel , and that it has co-operated fully with all investigations. In July, a lawyer in Paris claimed the Devonport-based submarine HMS Turbulent was responsible and accused its former commander and a Government minister of lying to the police and Parliament. Dominique Tricaud, who represents Thierry le Metayer who lost his father Georges in the tragedy, called for Commander Andy Coles, the then captain of HMS Turbulent, to be placed under investigation and brought to France for questioning. It has now emerged that Cdr Coles, who lives in Devon, responded to news coverage of the claims on his Twitter site. "Have to confess to getting a bit irritated by the continuous press coverage of something I didn't do," he wrote. Responding to another submarine commander, he later added: "The French fishing vessel saga raising its head yet again with me now accused of lying and 'confessing'." At the time, M. Tricaud claimed a witness had heard a radio message from the submarine sent out shortly after the accident in which it was said she had suffered damage and was returning to port. The lawyer also claimed to have heard a French witness who, they allege, heard a recent "confession" by Cdr Coles in which he admitted snagging the Bugaled's trawl. The MoD responded saying the claims were "totally unfounded". It added: "Specific accusations that Cdr Andy Coles as the Captain of HMS Turbulent may have been involved in her loss are incorrect as she was alongside Devonport throughout January 15, 2004." More recently, Cdr Coles revealed in a post on Twitter that he would not face charges after HMS Astute ran aground off the coast of Skye in Scotland. He was relieved of his command after the submarine grounded while on sea trials last October. It was reported that Cdr Coles announced on Twitter that "no charges" were being brought against him. The message has now been removed. 'The French fishing vessel saga raising its head yet again...' Commander Andy Coles via Twitter (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |