Queen’s guard filmed ‘snorting powder off a sword while on duty’

UK: A Queen's guard identified as Captain Alex Ritchie, 27, was allegedly caught on camera snorting a line of white powder off a ceremonial sword while on duty in St Jame's Palace. Major James Coleby, 41, was on duty at the time when he was allegedly filmed on a boozy bender in the Officers' Mess on Monday last week. See video below

The ministry of defence has launched an investigation into the 30-second mobile phone footage that was mistakenly posted on a messaging service for troops, according to The Sun.

The mobile footage was filmed by Lieutenant Charles McLean, 27, who mistakenly sent it to personnel through a messaging service. 

The footage allegedly shows Ritchie snorting a white substance with a small card as he is heard asking Major Coleby: ‘How much? Two inches? You want two inches of that? If you get rid of that I’ll be mightily impressed.’

Major Coleby is then seen leaning over the blade and allegedly snorts the substance, while a woman was heard shouting; ‘No, don’t do it, for the love of God!’

 

The Sun reported that the three men who were on duty at the time of the incident and still had 13 hours left on duty will face an investigation.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said;

"The Army expects all personnel to stick to its high standards and any found to fall short are disciplined robustly.

"An investigation is under way."

The palace is home to Princesses Eugenie, Princess Royal and Beatrice, but it is believed that none of them were at home at the time of the incident.

Colonel Richard Kemp, an Afghanistan veteran, told The Sun;

‘This behaviour is both highly worrying and acutely embarrassing for the British Army. Officers are there to set an example.’