Ranulph Fiennes’ stepson claims police have ignored him in search for explorer

Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s stepson has claimed that police are ignoring him over his pleas for help to find the missing explorer.

Alexander Millington-Cotes is urging an investigation into his 82-year-old stepfather’s whereabouts amid serious concerns over the conditions of his care.

It comes after a care home owner in Wales, where Sir Ranulph had been placed for seven weeks this year, told The Telegraph they had reported several issues about his wellbeing to the authorities.

Mr Millington-Cotes has said hehas been unable to see his stepfather for more than a year and has had “no luck” in hearing back from police.

He told The Telegraph: “It’s a real challenge because I don’t think anyone quite knows where he is. I’m trying to establish from the police what they’re doing… I’ve tried to get in touch but no luck so far.”

He said he contacted several police forces in the locations where he believes his father might be, including Cheshire Constabulary, as Sir Ranulph had been moved to a facility there this year.

Mr Millington-Cotes visited the care home in Cheshire last week and was told by staff his stepfather was not there.

He also asked for help from West Mercia Police, which covers Shropshire, where their family home is, but received no response.

The stepson is urging for action to be taken “swiftly” and has set up a GoFundMe page that has so far raised more than £6,500 so far.

He told the newspaper: “I haven’t been able to speak to him and have the opportunity to say, what would you like to do? Be it, having some care from home, somewhere familiar, or to go and live his days in the Caribbean?

“I just want to be able to see him, for him to be able to see who he wants to, go where he wants with any support that he might need. This just seems like a really bad dream.”

The Telegraph reported that Care Inspectorate of Wales had said in an email to the care home owner in Wales that Sir Ranulph was being “unlawfully deprived of his liberty”.

A spokesperson said: “Care Inspectorate Wales is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of people who receive social care services across Wales.

“As part of this role, CIW monitors Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to help ensure people living in care homes are protected and any restrictions placed on their freedom are lawful, necessary and in their best interests.

“Where a person is under continuous supervision and control, is not free to leave, and lacks the capacity to consent to their care arrangements, providers must apply to the local authority for a DoLS authorisation and notify CIW when an application has been made.

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment on an individual's personal circumstances or care arrangements.”

The Independent approached West Mercia and Cheshire police forces for comment Saturday evening but have had no response.