Britain's Ministry of Defence has taken the unusual step of ordering a navy captain to leave his ship and return to the UK to face an investigation.
Commander David Axon was ordered home while his frigate HMS Somersetwas in the port of Gibraltar, the ministry said on Tuesday.
The action has been taken while complaints from a junior officer under his command are investigated, a defence ministry spokesman said. Cmdr Axon faces an "equal opportunities investigation".
Media reports, which spoke of a potential mutiny on the ship, said Cmdr Axon was accused of bullying and intimidation but not physical or sexual abuse. The ministry declined to comment on the nature of the allegations.
HMS Somersetwas on its way back to Britain from the Gulf.