Sir Ranulph Fiennes' family and friends have called for his care to be urgently investigated following reports that the explorer is being 'illegally' held in care homes. The 82-year-old has not been seen in public for two years and is believed to have been moved between care homes under false names.
Family demands OPG investigation
The family is demanding that the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) investigate the role of his wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, as his legal guardian. One care home in Wales raised the alarm that Sir Ranulph was being 'unlawfully deprived of his liberty' and that protocols were not being followed.
Alexander Millington-Cotes, who is estranged from his mother, said he had called the agency's safeguarding team to pass on information about his stepfather's care, but had heard nothing in response. 'Of course the OPG should investigate – we would love them to investigate', he told the Telegraph.
Friend and family speak out
Veteran BBC correspondent John Simpson, a friend of Sir Ranulph's, said it must be known 'what's happening to him', adding that the explorer was the 'world's bravest man' but also vulnerable. He wrote on X: 'Horrified to hear what's happened to my good friend Ran Fiennes. I'd like to tell the relevant authorities everything I know about the way he's been treated. He's the world's bravest man, and he's vulnerable. We must know what's happening to him.'
Concerns have been raised over several instructions given by Mrs Millington-Cotes, including a 'do not resuscitate' document and medicines prescribed in her name. Arabella McIntyre-Brown, the sister of Sir Ranulph's first wife Ginny Fiennes, said reports of his physical state were 'very worrying' and added her name to those calling for the OPG to open an inquiry.
Whereabouts concealed
Both friends and family members have been kept in the dark about Sir Ranulph's whereabouts. He is believed to have been moved between care homes in Cheshire and Wales, with only his wife and daughter knowing his exact location. Mrs Millington-Cotes reportedly went to extreme lengths to conceal his identity, including insisting he wear a hat, sunglasses and gloves to prevent anyone recognising his face or frostbite-damaged fingers when out for walks.
The explorer married the former horse trainer, 23 years his junior, in 2005 after a failed attempt to climb Mount Everest. Mrs Millington-Cotes has yet to comment on the allegations.
