The stepson of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Alexander Millington-Cotes, has been contacted by Cheshire police and plans to speak with them this week regarding his concerns about the explorer's wellbeing. Mr Millington-Cotes, who is estranged from his mother Louise, Sir Ranulph's current wife, said an officer called him in recent days.
Mr Millington-Cotes stated that the call gave him hope that concerns from friends and family were being taken seriously. This follows a statement from Cheshire police on Monday, which said they did not have "safeguarding concerns" for the 82-year-old and were "satisfied that Sir Ranulph Fiennes is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight."
Concerns about Sir Ranulph's welfare have been raised in recent months, including by his relative, actor Joseph Fiennes, who wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian in January. A friend, Michael Kobold, also reported that Care Inspectorate Wales confirmed in an email that Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully deprived of his liberty at a care home in Wales, where staff were given strict instructions on his daily activities.
Mr Millington-Cotes, an aerospace engineer, is crowdfunding a legal application to seek power of attorney over Sir Ranulph from his mother.