I think that posters are looking at this from a civilian point of view.
I don't think that Admiral Lord West was referring to old cases only, Holly, (when the act will have been illegal anyway); the men concerned will have been disciplined as Commander West will be disciplined.
This is what was reported when Cdr West was first appointed as captain of HMS Portland:
The 40-year-old, who is single and lives in Middlesex, won her £65,000-a-year role due to her “leadership, confidence, moral courage, sound judgment and exceptional people skills”, seeing off tough competition from male officers. She has yet to give any interviews on the subject, simply saying that taking command of HMS Portland is “the highlight of my 16 years in the Royal Navy so far” and adding: “It is a challenge that I am fully trained for and ready to undertake.”
She has not shown moral courage, sound judgement or exceptional people skills in what she has done. She will be the object of derision and other women in the Royal Navy will be angry and upset that she may have set back their cause by her actions.
This is not news because [horror] a boss has sex with a subordinate. This is news because a trailblazing female Royal Navy officer, promoted to be the first woman in charge of a fighting ship has broken the Code of Social Conduct which must be adhered to by all personnel on board, and has been sent home awaiting disciplinary action.
She was news because she was the first Captain of a RN ship, and it is news because of what she has done.