The first female commander of a frontline warship in the history of the Royal Navy has been stripped of her post amid allegations she had an affair with a shipmate.
The Royal Navy confirmed that Commander Sarah West had been “removed from command”, but said she would remain in the service and be reappointed to another post.
Cdr West, 42, took charge of Type 23 frigate HMS Portland in May 2012, but left her vessel last month when claims emerged that she had a relationship with a fellow sailor.
At the time the Royal Navy said it would conduct an inquiry into whether she breached the armed forces’ code of social conduct, which governs personal relationships within the military.
In a statement a spokesman said no details would be given of the inquiry or its outcome. He said: “We can confirm that Commander Sarah West, commanding officer of HMS Portland, has been removed from command.
“This is an internal matter between the individual and her senior officers and we will not give further details.
“Commander West will continue to serve in the Royal Navy and she will be reappointed to a post where her skills and experience can be used to best effect.”
Cdr West, who is unmarried, was born and raised Lincolnshire and studied maths at the University of Hertfordshire before joining Britannia Royal Naval College in 1995.
