Second-in-command of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth who starred in BBC documentary denies raping and sexually assaulting woman

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:13, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 15:16, 18 June 2026 A Royal Navy Captain who was second-in-command on HMS Queen Elizabeth and starred in a BBC documentary has denied raping and sexually assaulting a woman. Captain Chris Ansell was accused of committing rape and sexual assault while he was Executive Officer on the £3.5 billion flagship aircraft carrier. The 49-year-old, who appeared on the BBC's The Warship: Tour of Duty, while serving on the ship, denied the allegations and will become the most senior Navy officer to be tried for rape. Capt Ansell appeared remotely at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, today where he pleaded not guilty to rape, attempted sexual assault and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. He appeared on a video link in his military uniform and spoke only to confirm his name and enter his not guilty pleas. The charges against Capt Ansell relate to incidents that were allegedly committed against one woman and occurred between February 2 to 3, 2022. Judge Advocate General Alan Large said Capt Ansell's case is 'relatively straightforward' but that there is a large amount of background information to consider. He added that if Capt Ansell did not attend the court martial, he 'could be committing a separate offence.' Captain Chris Ansell (pictured), 49, denied the allegations and will become the most senior Navy officer to be tried for rape Captain Ansell was Executive Officer on the £3.5 billion flagship aircraft carrier, here pictured arriving in New York in October 2018 The father-of-two joined the Navy in 1997 serving in the submarines before transferring to the service fleet. He was deputy onboard the 65,000 tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth between November 2020 and February 2022 where he served in the South China Sea. In the BBC fly-on-the-wall show, he said of his role: 'I have to be mum and dad, big brother, policeman, mentor, coach, counsellor. 'All things to the 1,600 sailors, marines and air crew.' Launched in 2014, HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy fleet. The ship was the centre of a military embarrassment in May 2025 when faulty plumbing meant hundreds of sailors went months without hot showers. A year earlier the aircraft carrier was also withdrawn from a Nato exercise because of propeller issues. His six-day trial will be held at Bulford Military Court on January 18 2027. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.