Latest news with #BenKey
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
UK Navy's dubious first in 500 years, Admiral Ben Key sacked for sex with subordinate
Admiral Sir Ben Key , the former First Sea Lord and head of the Royal Navy , has been dismissed from service following a misconduct inquiry into an extramarital affair with a subordinate officer. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that he has lost his rank but will retain his pension. The sacking marks the first time in 500 years that a First Sea Lord has faced dismissal due to misconduct. Sir Ben, 59, was suspended in May 2025 after allegations emerged of a relationship with a female subordinate. The complaint reportedly came from the officer's husband and invited a formal investigation. In a statement, the MoD said, 'Following a full investigation, Admiral Sir Ben Key's behaviour has been found to have fallen far short of the values and standards expected of service personnel. This has resulted in the termination of service and his commission.' A distinguished naval career ends in disgrace Sir Ben joined the Royal Navy in 1984 as a university cadet. Over the years, he qualified as a helicopter aircrew and a Principal Warfare Officer. Live Events He commanded several vessels, including HMS Sandown, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Lancaster, and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. He rose to First Sea Lord in 2021. He led major operations including 'Operation Pitting', the UK's evacuation from Afghanistan, and 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' to protect maritime routes in the Red Sea. In 2016, he was knighted and awarded the KCB (Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath). Sir Ben was scheduled to retire this summer before the inquiry disrupted his plans. He has been the head of the Royal Navy since 2021. In recorded history, a similar incident was in December 1917 when Admiral of the Fleet John Jellicoe was dismissed (asked to resign) from his position, though that was as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, not First Sea Lord. Personal statement and apology In a statement after his dismissal, Sir Ben said: 'Serving as First Sea Lord has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I pay tribute to the dedicated and professional officers, sailors, Royal Marines and civil servants who make up the Royal Navy.' He sincerely regretted his actions from the previous spring, stating that they did not meet the standards he held for himself or for the Royal Navy. Consequently, he fully accepted the decision of the Defence Council. Apologizing to his close ones, he said, 'I am very sorry to those I have hurt personally, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy. I am very grateful for the support of my wife, family, and friends during a very difficult time.'
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Royal Navy boss sacked and stripped of admiral's rank over secret affair with subordinate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE former head of the Royal Navy has been sacked and stripped of his admiral rank over a secret affair with a subordinate. Ex-First Sea Lord Sir Ben Key, 59, is the most senior officer in the Navy's 500-year history to face the dishonour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Ex-First Sea Lord Sir Ben Key has been sacked and stripped of his admiral rank over a secret affair with a subordinate Credit: Getty The Sun revealed in May he had been suspended and banned from resigning while a probe ran its course. The married dad of three had vowed to stamp out 'intolerable behaviour' in the Navy, regardless of rank. The MoD said: 'Following a full investigation, Admiral Sir Ben Key's behaviour has been found to have fallen far short of values and standards expected. This has resulted in termination of service and his commission.' Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the Armed Forces, said: 'We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short.' Sir Ben could now be stripped of his knighthood and CBE. Pals say wife Elly is standing by him. He did not face court martial as the affair was not a criminal offence. He was accused of breaking Navy rules which ban sexual relationships between commanders and lower ranks. The Armed Forces are also barred from actions which risk or wreck comrades' marriages. His lover has not been identified, but sources claimed she was a senior officer married to a sailor, who lodged a complaint. Britain's 'Q' boffins unveil underwater drone to take on Putin's cable-cutters Sir Ben, who had a stellar 41-year Navy career, said: 'I deeply regret my conduct in spring last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy. 'I am very sorry to those I have hurt, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy. 'I am very grateful for the support of my wife, family and friends during a very difficult time.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former head of Royal Navy sacked
The former head of the Royal Navy Admiral Sir Ben Key has been sacked following an investigation. as First Sea Lord in May after an investigation was launched into an alleged relationship with a female colleague, a person familiar with the matter told Sky News at the time. A full investigation has resulted in the termination of his service and commission, the Ministry of Defence said. In a statement today, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: "We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our Service Personnel and our Civil Servants. "We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority." Sir Ben 'sorry to those I have hurt' In a statement after his sacking was announced, Sir Ben said: "Serving as First Sea Lord has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I pay tribute to the dedicated and professional officers, sailors, Royal Marines and civil servants who make up the Royal Navy. "I deeply regret my conduct in the spring of last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy. As such, I fully accept the decision of the Defence Council. "I am very sorry to those I have hurt personally, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy. "Finally, I am very grateful for the support of my wife, family and friends during a very difficult time." Sir Ben, who is married with three children, is suspected of breaking the Navy's strict "service test" which effectively prohibits sexual relationships between commanders and their subordinates. It is not thought that the person involved was in his immediate chain of command. But as head of the Navy, the First Sea Lord is in overall charge of all naval personnel. Sir Ben, who was appointed as First Sea Lord in 2021, had placed a strong focus on eliminating unacceptable behaviour in the Navy. In 2024, he declared "zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviours". In 2022, he said: "Those who do not wish to serve in accordance with the values and standards of life in the United Kingdom's armed forces will be removed. "There is no place for you." Sir Ben's sudden departure from his role in May forced the Navy to cancel its flagship annual Sea Power Conference, which was due to have military guests from all over the world. He was succeeded by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines. Educated at Bromsgrove School, in Worcestershire, Sir Ben joined the navy in 1984 as a university cadet. He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a principal warfare officer and as a junior officer saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers. He was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2021.
ITV News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Former Royal Navy head sacked after investigation finds his behaviour fell 'far short'
The former head of the Royal Navy has been sacked, after an investigation found his behaviour fell "far short of the values and standards expected". The Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched an investigation into Admiral Sir Ben Key after he was reportedly suspended as First Sea Lord in May, over an alleged affair with a female subordinate. The MoD confirmed that Admiral Sir Ben's service with the Royal Navy had now been terminated. Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: "We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our service personnel and our civil servants."We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority." Admiral Sir Ben Key said: "Serving as First Sea Lord has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I pay tribute to the dedicated and professional officers, sailors, Royal Marines and civil servants who make up the Royal Navy."I deeply regret my conduct in the spring of last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy. As such, I fully accept the decision of the Defence Council. "I am very sorry to those I have hurt personally, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy. "Finally, I am very grateful for the support of my wife, family and friends during a very difficult time." Admiral Sir Ben joined the Navy in 1984 and saw action in Kosovo and Iraq. He had command of a number of military vessels before becoming commanding officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious in 2009. In August 2021, he took charge of the UK's evacuation efforts in Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, before becoming First Sea Lord in November 2021, until his suspension in May 2025.
Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Times
Royal Navy head Sir Ben Key sacked after misconduct inquiry
Admiral Sir Ben Key has become the first head of the navy to have his service terminated after an investigation found his behaviour had 'fallen far short of values and standards' expected of service personnel. Key, 59, a married father of three, is no longer an admiral but he will keep his pension. He was suspended in May over claims that he had an affair with a subordinate and he was told to 'step back from all duties' while an investigation was carried out. In the mean time, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marine, was named as his replacement. It was the first time in the Royal Navy's 500-year history that its first sea lord has faced a misconduct inquiry. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said that after a full investigation his service had been terminated, as well as his commission. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the armed forces, said: 'We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our service personnel and our civil servants. 'We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority.' Key said in a statement that serving as first sea lord had been 'one of the greatest privileges of my life' and he 'deeply regrets' his conduct in the spring of last year.
