Former Special Forces soldier and TV hardman Ant Middleton is being taken to court by the Ministry of Defence, accused of breaking one of the military’s most sacred rules: silence.
The SAS: Who Dares Wins star is facing legal action over an alleged breach of contract, after reportedly sharing details about his time in the military on social media.
An MOD spokesperson confirmed:
“We can confirm ongoing proceedings around contractual procedures. We will not comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.”
According to The Sun, the case, officially listed as Ministry of Defence vs Middleton, centres on a number of posts the former SBS operative allegedly shared online. These posts are said to have included details about his Special Forces service, which could fall foul of a strict confidentiality agreement.
A source told The Sun:
“Special Forces contracts were changed some years ago to include a non-disclosure clause. This is an extremely rare move for the MOD to take. The action doesn’t relate to his TV work, books, or honorary cadet captain role, it’s focused solely on social media posts about the Special Forces.”
A Code Written in Silence
Since 1996, all members of the UK Special Forces (UKSF) have been bound by a lifetime non-disclosure agreement, a contract so strict that even a casual comment can risk breaching it.
The rule was tightened after the success of explosive memoirs like Andy McNab’s Bravo Two Zero and Chris Ryan’s The One That Got Away, both detailing SAS missions during the First Gulf War.
While some former operatives have sought MOD approval for their books, concerns about national security and operational secrecy led to a zero-tolerance approach, a lifelong vow of silence often referred to as the “Special Forces omertà.”
Breaking that code isn’t just frowned upon; it’s seen as potentially endangering lives and jeopardising future missions.
For Middleton, a man who’s built a career on pushing limits and telling raw, unfiltered stories, this latest challenge may prove one of his toughest yet.
