Ranulph Fiennes believed back at Shropshire farm amid concern over his care
The Daily Mail reports the 82-year-old explorer is believed to be back at his Shropshire farm. Relatives and friends say they cannot see him, and his wife has not responded to the allegations.
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The story, neutrally told
The Daily Mail reported on 29 September that Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 82, is believed to be back at his isolated farm in Shropshire. Daily MailR “Sir Ranulph Fiennes is believed to be back home at his isolated farm in Shropshire, the Daily Mail has learned.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The Mail says two modular homes, one for him and one for a carer, were put up near the main house behind a 6ft security gate. Its source is his friend Michael Kobold, who was told of this by someone who saw the building work. Daily MailR “where two modular homes – one for Sir Ranulph, the other for his carer – were assembled near the main residence last week” Read at Daily Mail ↗ He has not been seen in public for about two years. He has Parkinson's disease. BBC NewsN “Sir Ranulph has not been seen in public for nearly two years, just months after opening up about a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.” Read at BBC News ↗
It has been alleged that he was admitted to several care homes under assumed names after a family rift involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes. She did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment. BBC NewsN “Louise Millington-Cotes did not immediately respond to the allegations, or the BBC's request for comment.” Read at BBC News ↗ His stepson Alex Millington-Cotes wants the power of attorney taken from his mother. He has started a crowdfunder, which the BBC says has raised almost £26,000, to pay for legal fees. BBC NewsN “he wanted to see the power of attorney "removed from my own mother"”“it has raised almost £26,000” Read at BBC News ↗ Arabella Pepper, the sister of his late first wife, told Newsnight she has not been able to see him for over a year. BBC NewsN “had not been able to see her former brother-in-law for over a year” Read at BBC News ↗
Cheshire Police said no immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified. The Office of the Public Guardian said it could not comment on an individual case. BBC NewsN “They said there were "no immediate safeguarding concerns".” Read at BBC News ↗ Daily MailR “'no immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time'” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The Mail adds that a Welsh care home was found by the Care Inspectorate of Wales to be unlawfully depriving him of his liberty. It says there is no suggestion Lady Fiennes has done anything wrong. Daily MailR “There is no suggestion Lady Fiennes has done anything wrong” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mail columnist Nadine Dorries used the case to argue for faster checks on lasting powers of attorney. She said she has given her own daughters that power. Daily MailR “I have given my three daughters joint legal responsibilities over my property and financial affairs” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A measured report built on relatives' accounts to Newsnight, with official responses from police and the OPG.
- Emphasis
- Family distress, the crowdfunder, the OPG's confidentiality statement and Fiennes's career background.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Shropshire farm, the Welsh care home finding of unlawful deprivation of liberty, or the video and royal angle.
- Charged language
- “very painful”
- For example
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“It has been alleged that Sir Ranulph, 82, has been admitted to a number of care homes under assumed names” — BBC News
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- An investigative scoop with a dramatic tone, plus an opinion column that uses the case to argue for reform of powers of attorney.
- Emphasis
- The secluded farm, the alleged secrecy, the video of him and the King's interest.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives less weight to police finding no safeguarding concerns and does not include Lady Fiennes's side. The column mixes the case with unrelated items.
- Charged language
- “draconian instructions”“national disgrace”“The awful Sir Ranulph Fiennes saga”
- For example
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“Sir Ranulph Fiennes is 'taken to isolated farmhouse hidden behind a 6ft gate'” — Daily Mail
“Frankly, the system needs a rocket up a proverbial backside.” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes is 82 and has Parkinson's disease.
- He has not been seen in public for around two years.
- Cheshire Police said there were no immediate safeguarding concerns.
- His stepson Alex Millington-Cotes has launched a crowdfunder and wants the power of attorney removed from his mother.
Where accounts differ
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How the situation is characterised
- Centre
- The BBC reports allegations and relatives' distress, and notes that police are satisfied he is in an appropriate setting.
- Right
- The Mail describes a 'veil of secrecy' and 'draconian instructions', and Dorries calls it an 'awful saga'. The Mail also notes there is no suggestion Lady Fiennes did anything wrong.
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Where he is and who has seen him
- Centre
- Pepper said she did not know where he was.
- Right
- The Mail says he is believed to be at the Shropshire farm, based on a source relayed by Kobold. This is unverified.
Ranulph Fiennes person
He has not spoken publicly. Others describe him as vulnerable and isolated. The BBC quotes Pepper saying he asked her to send his love to everyone.
“send them my love, tell them I love them and tell them I'm longing to see them” — BBC News
Nadine Dorries person
Dorries treats the case as evidence that power-of-attorney safeguards are too slow, and urges people to still grant such powers to trusted family.
“That is precisely why the safeguards surrounding power of attorney have to work quickly.” — Daily Mail
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Sir Ranulph Fiennes' relatives tell BBC it's 'very painful' not being able to visit him
Sympathetic Relatives' testimony with official responses, and cautious attribution of the allegations.
Right2 articles
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Daily MailR · · Opinion
Critical Opinion column using the saga to press the OPG and authorities to act faster on power-of-attorney complaints.
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Sir Ranulph Fiennes is 'taken to isolated farmhouse hidden behind a 6ft gate'
Alarmist Scoop presenting his return to the farm as a worrying loss of 'outside eyes', with vivid details of secrecy.
- 29 Sep 01:00 First Daily MailR NADINE DORRIES: I have given my daughters power of attorney over my property and financial affairs. This is why - and why I urge you to do the same. The awful Sir Ranulph Fiennes saga proves it Opinion
- 29 Sep 09:33 +8h 33m Daily MailR Sir Ranulph Fiennes is 'taken to isolated farmhouse hidden behind a 6ft gate'
- 29 Sep 13:08 +12h 8m BBC NewsN Sir Ranulph Fiennes' relatives tell BBC it's 'very painful' not being able to visit him
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.