Police break silence on welfare of explorer Ranulph Fiennes

Police say Sir Ranulph Fiennes is “living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight” and they have no immediate safeguarding concerns.

Major questions have been raised over the welfare and whereabouts of the UK’s most daring explorer, as his friends and family call for an investigation into his care arrangements.

The 82-year-old has not been seen publicly in around two years, with The Telegraph reporting to have seen an email sent by a care watchdog that said Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully kept in care homes.

The King is reportedly among those who had tried to reach out to Sir Ranulph, the same newspaper reported.

Over the weekend, the explorer’s stepson Alexander Millington-Cotes claimed police had ignored his pleas for help and called for an investigation into his whereabouts.

Responding to the reports for the first time on Monday, Cheshire Police detective chief superintendent Claire Jesson said police are satisfied Sir Ranulph is receiving suitable care.

“Police and partner agencies are aware of the concerns raised and are satisfied that Sir Ranulph Fiennes is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight,” she said.

“No immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time.

“Any new information received will be assessed and considered through the appropriate multi-agency arrangements.

“As this is a matter involving an individual's care and welfare, it would not be appropriate to comment further on personal circumstances. We would ask that privacy is respected and unnecessary speculation is avoided.”

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

The care home owner also raised concerns with the Care Inspectorate of Wales, which The Telegraph reported said Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully kept in care homes.

Mr Millington-Coates, who says he has been unable to see his stepfather for more than a year, has set up a GoFundMe page that has so far raised more than £18,000.

Several British adventurers, including Ben Fogle and Bear Grylls, have also called for an investigation.

Mr Fogle said he was “deeply disturbed” by the reports about Sir Ranulph, writing on social media: “It is time for the Office for the Public Guardian and the police to investigate this case.”

Mr Grylls claimed he and others had been “desperately trying to connect with Ran for a year now to no avail”.