First woman commander of Navy warship is sent home over 'affair with male officer' on board

The first female commander of a Royal Navy warship has been sent home after allegedly having an affair with another officer.

Commander Sarah West, 42, took charge of the frigate HMS Portland in May 2012, but has been sent home from duty after claims she was having a relationship with a male officer on the same ship.

This would breach the Armed Forces’ Code of Social Conduct, which prohibits personnel from having relationships with subordinates if they compromise ‘operational effectiveness’.

While the Royal Navy is investigating the affair, Cdr West, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, retains her position as commander of HMS Portland.

It is not known whether the male officer is married.

Sarah West, the first female commander of a Royal Navy warship, has been sent home after allegedly having an affair with another officer

Cdr West recently described herself as ‘single’, having been married to a former Royal Navy pilot in 1998. The pair later separated.

A Royal Navy spokesman said last night: ‘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.’

Earlier this year, Cdr West said work commitments had got in the way of her love life. 

She said in a newspaper interview: ‘I’m really proud to be the first woman but I’m not reinventing the wheel. Lots of women in the services have challenging roles. It’s just that I happen to be newsworthy at the moment.

‘There are drawbacks, though. Years at sea probably explains why I’m single. But every person in the military makes sacrifices.’

She added: ‘I’m a comprehensive-educated northerner who knew nothing about the military as I grew up. I worked as a trainee manager for two years after leaving university – then got bored with the nine-to-five.’

The military’s policy on relationships between servicemen and women is that they are permitted but that they must not undermine ‘trust and cohesion’ or damage ‘operational effectiveness’.

The types of disciplinary action that can be taken when military personnel breach the Code of Social Conduct include formal warning, official censure or the re-assignment of those involved.

Royal Navy: Commander Sarah West, 42, took charge of the frigate HMS Portland in May 2012

Single: Cdr West recently described herself as 'single' having been married to a former Royal Navy pilot in 1998

HMS Portland (above) in May 2012, is currently completing a seven-month deployment, during which she has spent time in Europe, Africa, South and North America, protecting and promoting national interests

In particularly serious cases, those who have breached the code can be sacked.

HMS Portland is currently completing a seven-month deployment, during which she has spent time in Europe, Africa, South and North America, protecting and promoting national interests. 

According to a marine traffic website, HMS Portland was in the Caribbean Sea last week and its last known position was the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 19.

HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate with an impressive array of weaponry, including a submarine-hunting kit, Sea Wolf and Harpoon missiles, Stingray torpedoes and a Lynx attack helicopter.

Cdr West was born and educated in Lincolnshire before graduating from the University of Hertfordshire with an honours degree in mathematics, before joining Britannia Royal Naval College in 1995 as a Warfare Officer. 

Sarah West on joining the navy and being a role model

Dedicated: High ranking Cdr West said earlier this year that work commitments had got in the way of her love life

Investigation: Cdr West, retains her position as commander of HMS Portland while the Navy investigates

Commander: Sarah West talks to crew on board HMS Portland in 2012, she said in a newspaper interview she was 'really proud' to be the first woman but had not reinvented the wheel

She was selected as a small ship navigator and joined HMS Cottesmore in 1997.

KEY FACTS: HMS PORTLAND

Name: HMS Portland
Operator: Royal Navy
Ordered: February 1996
Builder: Marconi Marine,
Sponsored by: Lady Heather Brigstocke
Homeport: HMNB Devonport, Plymouth
Length: 133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam: 16.1 m (52 ft 10 in)
Draught: 7.3 m (23 ft 9 in)

Speed: In excess of 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph) 

Subsequent appointments included Officer of the Watch of HMS Sheffield and Navigating Officer of HMS Somerset.

In 2007 she joined the Permanent Joint Headquarters and was responsible for co-ordinating the UK contribution to operations in the Balkans, which included the period that saw Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

Selected for sea command in 2008, she commanded minesweepers HMS Ramsey, HMS Penzance, HMS Pembroke and HMS Shoreham between April 2009 and December 2011.

Her time on HMS Pembroke included eight and a half months deployed on operations in the Arabian Gulf.

She was promoted to commander in January 2012 and assumed command of HMS Portland in May that year.

Cdr West said at the time: ‘Taking command of HMS Portland is definitely the highlight of my 16 years in the Royal Navy so far.’

She added: ‘It is a challenge that I am fully trained for and ready to undertake.’

DM