article_snippet.sent: Lieutenant Colonel Francis Bolduc, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigations Service (CFNIS), said: 'This is a disturbing accusation of sexual assault. '
article_snippet.sent: The charges will cause serious embarrassment to senior Royal Navy officers.
article_snippet.sent: One source said: 'I expect very high-ups in both the Canadian and British navies are going to be watching this case closely.'
article_snippet.sent: Crown attorney Scott Morrison said: 'It is a sensitive issue and a very serious charge. '
article_snippet.sent: A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the navy 'takes allegations of this nature very seriously, however as legal proceedings continue it would be inappropriate to comment further'.