Fiennes stepson to speak with police over concerns about explorer’s welfare

Alexander Millington-Cotes, the stepson of explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, says he plans to speak to Cheshire police about concerns over the 82-year-old’s wellbeing. Millington-Cotes said an officer contacted him in recent days and that the call gave him hope his concerns, shared by friends and family, were being taken seriously. He said the detective appeared interested in his observations and his understanding of the situation.

The contact follows a statement from Cheshire police on Monday saying officers did not have safeguarding concerns about Fiennes. Police said they were satisfied that he was living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight. Millington-Cotes said he had been disappointed by the authorities’ response and believed police might not have had the full picture.

A police spokesperson confirmed that officers were in touch with him and said the force’s original statement remained unchanged. Questions have been raised in recent months about Fiennes’ welfare. He has Parkinson’s and is cared for by his second and current wife, Louise, who has power of attorney.

The explorer has not been seen in public for two years. Fiennes’ relative, actor Joseph Fiennes, wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian in January expressing concerns that the explorer had been cut off from friends and family. Other people have also raised concerns about his isolation and care arrangements.

Millington-Cotes is crowdfunding a legal application seeking to remove power of attorney from his mother. Another visitor, Arabella Pepper, has alleged that visitors were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements. The Guardian reported claims that Fiennes had lived under assumed names in several care homes.

It also cited a Care Inspectorate Wales email saying that restrictions at a Welsh care home did not have an authorised deprivation arrangement. Louise Millington-Cotes was contacted for comment.