Royal Navy chief steps down early
Admiral Sir Ben Key had announced that he would retire as First Sea Lord this summer. However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Wednesday that he had already left the post.
Sir Ben's departure appears all the more abrupt as he was due to speak at the First Sea Lord's Sea Power conference in London next week.
The conference has now been postponed indefinitely. An email from the Council on Geostrategy read: 'It is with sincere regret that we must inform you that the First Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference 2025 has been postponed.
'As you may already be aware, this decision follows the news that the First Sea Lord has had to step back from his duties for personal reasons.
'On behalf of both the Royal Navy and the Council on Geostrategy, we offer our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.' The email described Sir Ben's departure as 'unanticipated'.
Tipped for top job
When his retirement was confirmed last year, it came as a surprise to many in the military who had tipped him to become the next Chief of the Defence Staff.
However, a source close to Sir Ben told The Telegraph that he was unhappy with the state of the Navy and wanted to leave the service rather than accept a promotion.
The source said: 'He has stared down the bottom of the barrel and doesn't like what he sees.'
They said that after a demanding career at sea, Sir Ben was looking forward to enjoying a summer with his wife, Elly, and spending more time with their three children.
His sudden departure, first reported by the Financial Times, comes with the Government's strategic defence review (SDR) still showing no sign of being published.
The Government insisted last year that it would appear this spring, but a date has still not been confirmed.
While some sources insisted Sir Ben's departure was unrelated to the SDR, another Navy source told The Telegraph: 'A cynic might think he has seen the SDR and wanted to be out before s--- hits the fan.
'He's a good guy but I think basically he was handed a hospital pass at the outset and has had enough of a very pressured job.'
It is understood that Vice-Admiral Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, will provide an interim replacement for Sir Ben until a new First Sea Lord is selected.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, who commanded the Special Boat Service, is thought to be the frontrunner to take over as the Navy head.
The MoD said: 'The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, has stepped back due to private reasons and we will not comment further.'
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