A whistleblower’s account of severe misogyny, bullying and sexual misconduct on board UK nuclear submarines led to an investigation which confirmed these abuses. The Royal Navy, after initially retaliating against the whistleblower, has since issued a public apology from its head, Admiral Sir Ben Key, while promising further measures to improve conditions.

An internal investigation into the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service has revealed widespread instances of misogyny, bullying, and harassment affecting female personnel. The report, stemming from allegations made between 2014 and 2020, led to several disciplinary actions and an official apology from Navy leadership, while also prompting calls for comprehensive cultural reforms.

The Defence Command Paper 2023 outlines both encouraging reforms and worrisome ambiguities for the Royal Navy. On one hand, there is a renewed focus on personnel flexibility and agile procurement that could benefit service members; on the other, unclear funding commitments and structural vagueness raise concerns about long‐term readiness and accountability.

Following multiple accounts of sexual harassment and abuse spanning over a decade in its Submarine Service, the Royal Navy has launched an investigation. Adm Sir Ben Key publicly condemned the abuse, stating that such behavior is 'abhorrent' and will not be tolerated, signaling a move towards accountability and reform in its handling of labor and human rights issues.

Royal Navy Chief Admiral Sir Ben Key defended the service's approach to handling rape and sexual abuse allegations by maintaining an internal, chain-of-command investigation process rather than a completely independent mechanism, arguing that full independence would cause delays and lead to poorer outcomes. This comes amid serious concerns about misconduct in the submarine service and systemic misogyny, raising questions about the protection of vulnerable personnel.