Four Royal Navy sailors have been charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident in Nova Scotia, Canadian police have said.
Craig Stoner, 24, Darren Smalley, 35, Joshua Finbow, 23, and Simon Radford, 31, each charged with one count of sexual assault by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS).
The incident allegedly took place in barracks at an air base at Shearwater, near Halifax, on Thursday.
In a statement on the Government of Canada website, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, Commanding Officer of the CFNIS, said: "This is a disturbing accusation of sexual assault.
"I'm pleased with the full cooperation provided by the British authorities to support the hard work and diligence of the CFNIS team in responding to this matter."
It is understood the alleged victim is a woman not involved in the military, CFINS said.
The Ministry of Defence said the four Royal Navy members have appeared in court charged with sexual assault under the Criminal Code of Canada 272.
Prosecutor Scott Morrison said the British sailors were in Nova Scotia playing in a hockey tournament with Canadian Armed Forces.
He said the Canadian military has jurisdiction over the case, but added that the British military could take over at some point.
The sailors are being held and are due in court on Monday.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said: "The Royal Navy takes allegations of this nature very seriously, however as legal proceedings continue it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The MoD said it will provide all appropriate assistance to the Canadian authorities.
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