ORAC
10th Jan 2005, 07:42
Body of Gibraltar commander found
Britain's top officer in Gibraltar has been found dead in his swimming pool, the Ministry of Defence said. Royal Navy Commodore David White had been informed he was to be recalled to the UK to await the outcome of an MoD police investigation.
He was discovered at his residence at Mount Barbary on Saturday. Next of kin have been informed. Chief Inspector Eddie Yome, of the Royal Gibraltar Police, said "foul play" was not suspected. But he said it was unlikely to be a "natural death" and that the results of a post-mortem examination were awaited.
In a statement the MoD said: "He was subject of an MOD police investigation. "Pending its outcome, it had been decided to return him to the United Kingdom. "Our deepest sympathy goes to his family and friends at this time".
Mr Yome said: "He was found by his military assistant. We don't suspect any foul play at this stage. "Obviously, it was not a natural death but we must wait for results of the post-mortem."
Born in London in 1954, Commodore White served in the south Atlantic during the Falklands War before taking command of HMS Onslaught in 1985. He also commanded HMS Torbay, later serving on the military staff at Nato HQ and taking on the role of assistant director for naval operations in the MoD during the war in Kosovo. He had been commander of British Forces Gibraltar since May, 2004.
Britain's top officer in Gibraltar has been found dead in his swimming pool, the Ministry of Defence said. Royal Navy Commodore David White had been informed he was to be recalled to the UK to await the outcome of an MoD police investigation.
He was discovered at his residence at Mount Barbary on Saturday. Next of kin have been informed. Chief Inspector Eddie Yome, of the Royal Gibraltar Police, said "foul play" was not suspected. But he said it was unlikely to be a "natural death" and that the results of a post-mortem examination were awaited.
In a statement the MoD said: "He was subject of an MOD police investigation. "Pending its outcome, it had been decided to return him to the United Kingdom. "Our deepest sympathy goes to his family and friends at this time".
Mr Yome said: "He was found by his military assistant. We don't suspect any foul play at this stage. "Obviously, it was not a natural death but we must wait for results of the post-mortem."
Born in London in 1954, Commodore White served in the south Atlantic during the Falklands War before taking command of HMS Onslaught in 1985. He also commanded HMS Torbay, later serving on the military staff at Nato HQ and taking on the role of assistant director for naval operations in the MoD during the war in Kosovo. He had been commander of British Forces Gibraltar since May, 2004.