Germany: Minister faces critics over 'floating brothel' death

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a leading light in Chancellor Angela Merkel's government, was blasted by opposition leaders for removing the commander of the naval training vessel just hours after he warned against jumping to conclusions.

Mr Guttenberg, who will testify to a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, yesterday said the captain, Norbert Schatz, had been re-assigned pending the outcome of an inquiry into the death of the woman cadet, 25, who died of her injuries after falling from a mast. He also ordered the ship home from a training voyage to Argentina.

"He wasn't fired, hounded out of office or thrown out," Mr Guttenberg said. "If the accusations turn out to be untrue, he can continue his career as planned."

German newspapers reported the investigation would also examine incidents of suspected sexual abuse and cruel rituals on the prestigious naval vessel Gorch Fock, a triple-masted training ship the navy has used since 1958.

Hellmut Koenigshaus, a member of parliament and ombudsman for the armed forces, has said that cadets complained to him of sexual harassment and bullying by their superiors.

The father of another young cadet, an 18-year-old woman who fell off the ship and drowned in an earlier incident in 2008, told Bild newspaper he wanted a full inquiry into her death, saying he suspected she may have been sexually harassed.

Political analysts do not expect the scandal to have a lasting negative impact on Mr Guttenberg, but if damaging headlines persist, they could tarnish the reputation of the minister, whose popularity has helped stabilise Ms Merkel's coalition.