Navy probes anti-piracy work claims

PASSPORTS and naval service records are being checked as part of an inquiry into claims that members of the force have been moonlighting as anti-piracy guards on ships passing off the Horn of Africa.

The Naval Service is carrying out an internal inquiry after allegations were made that a small number of personnel had used their leave to make lucrative money working for a private security firm which guards ships passing off the pirate-ridden coast of Somalia and through the Gulf of Aden.

The security company alleged to have employed some of the men, Gulf of Aden Group Transits, was unavailable for comment yesterday.