From the Guardian, a report on a current investigation into a Royal Navy officer who may have had an affair with a subordinate:
The first female commander of a major Royal Navy warship has left her vessel after claims she had an affair with a shipmate.
Commander Sarah West, 42, took charge of Type 23 frigate HMS Portland in May 2012.
It is understood she has left the ship while the navy investigates the claims. Her second-in-command has taken over the running of the vessel, but West is still the commanding officer.
The navy inquiry will consider whether West breached the armed forces’ code of social conduct, which governs personal relationships within the military. Possible punishments for a breach include a formal warning, reassignment and even termination of service.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We are aware of an allegation of a breach of the code of social conduct on board HMS Portland, which we are treating seriously.
“Anyone who is found to fall short of the Royal Navy’s high standards can expect to face appropriate action. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
West made headlines when she became the first female commander of a frontline warship in the 500-year history of the service.
But earlier this year she explained how work commitments made it difficult to have a relationship.
