Latest news with #AdmiralSirBenKey
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Revealed: 'Love cheat' Navy chief Sir Ben Key's affair with junior female officer was 'exposed after her husband reported them to the MoD'
An affair involving the suspended head of the Royal Navy and a junior female officer was exposed by her husband, sources have revealed. Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, was told to 'step back from all duties' last month over claims the married father of three had an affair with a female officer. At the time, allies of the former First Sea Lord claimed the allegation was part of a 'dirty tricks campaign' against Sir Ben following months of fierce in-fighting at the top of the Armed Forces. But now it has emerged the 'consensual' relationship came to light after the officer's non-serving husband filed a complaint with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), The Telegraph reported. It is understood the husband believed Sir Ben should be held accountable to the same standards as those beneath him. He stands accused of breaching regulations barring sexual relations between commanders and those below them in rank, while endangering the marriage of a comrade is also forbidden. A source said: 'The husband was upset, because this is a man who prides himself on his Christian values and how he was raised by missionaries – but was doing this with someone else's wife.' Sir Ben, who was formerly in the running to become the next Chief of the Defence Staff, now faces a misconduct probe. Admiral Sir Ben, pictured with his wife Elly, is the subject of a misconduct probe following a complaint to the Ministry of Defence about the affair It is the first time in the 500-year history of the Navy that its First Sea Lord has come under such scrutiny. Insiders understand that he had attempted to retire 'quietly' once the affair was exposed, but General Dame Sharon Nesmith, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and John Healey, the Defence Secretary, insisted on an investigation. Many female officers particularly are understood to have felt 'let down' by Sir Ben's double standards. The source said: 'The female naval workforce feels shockingly let down by his moral high stance and hypocrisy.' In March, Sir Ben appeared in Parliament to provide oral evidence on the treatment of women in the armed forces and commented on 'unwelcome sexual behaviours'. He told the defence select committee: 'We are absolutely determined to create a Royal Navy in which people are judged for their professional conduct, welcomed for the contribution that they make, and accepted for who they are. 'Behaviours that run counter to that will not be accepted, and particularly those around unwelcome sexual behaviours. 'We have removed people from the service, including those who have commanded, where we have discovered that their behaviours were not appropriate, or we have removed people from positions of responsibility before situations have got out of hand.' In March, Sir Ben appeared in Parliament to provide oral evidence on the treatment of women in the armed forces and commented on 'unwelcome sexual behaviours' Those close to Sir Ben previously told MoS that they were 'shocked' by the news of an affair. A senior Navy source said: 'Across the board he is very popular, very competent and the majority of the naval service are extremely shocked and really sad to see it potentially end like this.' Another insider added: 'He is a stand-up bloke and treats everyone well.' His wife Elly has previously told of the 'burden' being in the Navy can place on family members. Last week Sir Gwyn Jenkins became the first Royal Marine to be appointed as head of the service. An MoD spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment while the investigation into the matter continues.
Times
14-05-2025
- Times
Royal Navy commander removed weeks into job over sexual allegations
The commanding officer of a Royal Navy warship used to protect British waters from Russian submarines is being investigated over allegations of 'unacceptable sexual behaviour' with a subordinate, The Times can Commander Martyn Mayger was in charge for a matter of weeks before he was removed from his post for the 'unwanted' behaviour, plunging the already beleaguered Royal Navy into a deeper is being investigated by the Defence Serious Crime Command after a complaint was raised and he has been removed in the past week, it is understood. The executive officer of HMS Tyne has assumed temporary command of the vessel while the investigation continues. The navy was rocked last week by the revelations that Admiral Sir Ben Key, the
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Was 'love cheat' Navy chief Sir Ben Kay exposed by enemies within? Insiders claim First Sea Lord was stitched up by rivals as the MoD launches probe into his alleged affair with a female officer
The suspended head of the Royal Navy was toppled by a 'dirty tricks campaign' amid months of fierce in-fighting at the top of the Armed Forces, it was claimed last night. Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, was told to 'step back from all duties' over claims the married father of three had an affair with a female officer. A disciplinary inquiry is under way and Admiral Sir Ben's staff at Navy Command in Portsmouth are due to be interviewed this week. A hugely popular officer, news of his suspension has sent shockwaves through the Navy, with allies this weekend claiming he is the victim of a 'stitch-up'. It is said he had been clashing with other senior officers, including Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, over the need to make further cuts to the Navy. Multiple Navy sources did not deny that Admiral Sir Ben is alleged to have had an affair, but they questioned whether his enemies have ruthlessly exploited the controversy to sideline him. The Mail on Sunday understands the allegation of a relationship was made by an unnamed 'third party', who is a fellow serving officer. 'I think he has been stitched up to get him out of the picture,' one Navy source said last night. 'He had constantly raised questions about the delays with new ships, funding for recruiting and the lack of frigates, and he was told to keep quiet. Now he can't say a thing.' Another source said Admiral Sir Ben believed the Navy had to 'cut its own cloth' as part of the ongoing defence review. This, it is claimed, meant scaling back the 'pet projects' of his predecessor, Admiral Sir Tony, who became head of the military in 2021. 'It looks like a stitch-up – it is all too convenient,' the source said. 'There was a massive bust-up over the future direction, funding and policy of the Royal Navy. It's not a big secret the Navy is in deep trouble. Ben Key was proposing to take quite decisive action to turn the thing around, but that would have involved scrapping lots of the pet projects of Admiral Radakin. 'There have been continuous disagreements since the beginning of the defence review.' Admiral Sir Ben stands accused of breaching regulations barring sexual relations between commanders and those below them in rank. There is no suggestion of anything criminal and the relationship is said to be consensual. Endangering comrades' marriages is also forbidden, and it is the first time in the Navy's 500-year history that its First Sea Lord has faced a misconduct probe. The MoS understands Admiral Sir Ben's mobile phone, Ministry of Defence computer and email account will be examined by investigators. A senior Navy source said: 'Across the board he is very popular, very competent and the majority of the naval service are extremely shocked and really sad to see it potentially end like this.' Another insider added: 'He is a stand-up bloke and treats everyone well. In my opinion, he over- compensated when thanking female staff... but that doesn't mean he was having an affair. 'Somebody may have got the wrong impression and presumed he was having a fling, but this whole situation doesn't seem right.' His wife Elly has previously told of the 'burden' being in the Navy can place on family members. The MoS understands that two of Admiral Sir Ben's closest allies, Vice Admirals Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, and fleet commander Andrew Burns, have been passed over for promotion and may now retire. Sir Martin will lead the Navy until a replacement is appointed, expected to be General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – the first Royal Marine to head the service. An MoD spokesman said last night: 'An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.'
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Head of Royal Navy ‘stepped down over affair with female subordinate'
The head of the Royal Navy has stepped down following an investigation into his relationship with a female subordinate, The Telegraph understands. Admiral Sir Ben Key has stepped back from all duties while the Ministry of Defence (MoD) carries out an investigation into the consensual relationship. Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, has taken full command of the Royal Navy during this time. Sir Ben, 59, who is married with three children, had previously announced that he would retire as First Sea Lord this summer. However, the MoD confirmed on Wednesday that he had already left the post. His abrupt departure, first reported by the Financial Times, came before he was due to speak at the First Sea Lord's Sea Power conference in London next week. Sources close to Sir Ben said at the time that he was unhappy with the state of the Navy and wanted to leave the service rather than accept a promotion. They added that Sir Ben was looking forward to enjoying a summer with his wife, Elly, and spending more time with their three children. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, who commanded the Special Boat Service, is thought to be the frontrunner to take over as the head of the Navy. An MoD spokesman said: 'An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.' Sir Ben was approached for comment. 'An exceptional military officer' Sir Ben was appointed the head of the Royal Navy in 2021, succeeding Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. He had previously been the Vice Admiral and impressed bosses by leading the evacuation of 15,000 people from Kabul following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary at the time of his appointment, said he was 'an exceptional military officer'. Sir Ben joined the Navy in 1984 as a university cadet. He graduated with a degree in physics from Royal Holloway, University of London. He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and a Principal Warfare Officer and has seen service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers. Throughout his career, he has commanded four ships including the mine hunter HMS Sandown, the frigates HMS Iron Duke and HMS Lancaster and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Head of Royal Navy, 59, is suspended over 'secret affair with female officer': Married father-of-three faces probe for 'inappropriate relationship with subordinate'
The head of the Navy has been asked to step down following claims that he had an extramarital affair with a female officer under his command. Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, had led the service since 2021 as First Sea Lord, having joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1984. The married father-of-three has been suspended after it emerged that he is suspected of breaking Navy's strict 'service test' - which effectively prohibits relationships between commanders and their subordinates, The Sun reported. This is the first time since the British Navy was founded in 1546 that its leader has faced a misconduct investigation. Sir Ben's departure has sent shockwaves through the Navy. A top Navy source told The Sun: 'It is shocking, really shocking because of who he is. 'Not just because he is First Sea Lord, but his reputation is a man of principles and morals. He is a popular First Sea Lord.' In the short term his role will be taken by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell. Potential replacements are said to have been interviewed, with an announcement soon. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said last night: 'Admiral Sir Ben Key, has stepped back due to private reasons.' Navy admirals joke the First Sea Lord is 'not the first, not at sea and not a lord', but his role is crucial particularly after Trump has made it clear European nations will need to spend more on their own defence. Sir Ben had last autumn told the chief of UK defence staff and the Defence Secretary he planned to leave this summer for personal reasons, the Financial Times said. His departure is not said to be linked to the forthcoming publication of the Government's strategic defence review. The father of three commanded four ships, and on land the US awarded him a Bronze Star in 2006 for assisting in Baghdad. He played a key role in the evacuation airlift of 15,000 Britons and Afghan allies from Kabul in 2021.
