Latest news with #SirBenKey
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
First Sea Lord's ‘affair' exposed after husband filed complaint
The First Sea Lord's alleged affair with a female subordinate was exposed after her husband filed a complaint, The Telegraph can reveal. Last month, Sir Ben Key was forced to step back from all duties over allegations of misconduct, which are under investigation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It was alleged that, in breach of the Navy's service standards, the 59-year-old was having an affair with a junior ranking staff member. It is understood that the non-serving husband of the female member of staff reported his findings to the Ministry of Defence after he discovered the 'consensual' relationship between Sir Ben and his wife. He felt as though the head of the Navy should be held to the same standards as those below him as Sir Ben has regularly spoken out about poor behaviour of those under his command in the past. A source familiar with the events told The Telegraph: '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.' 'Tried to go away quietly' Sir Ben, who is married with three children, had previously announced that he would retire as First Sea Lord this summer, despite being considered a frontrunner to become the next Chief of the Defence Staff. Earlier this week, The Telegraph reported that Air Marshal Sir Richard Knight, currently Chief of the Air Staff, will take over the post in the autumn when Admiral Sir Tony Radakin stands down. It is understood Sir Ben tried to go away 'quietly' when he learnt that his extra-marital affair had been discovered, but that the Chief of the Defence Staff insisted there would be an investigation before his official retirement in order not to be accused of a 'cover-up'. The source added that a number of female officers within the Navy felt they deserved a public apology from Sir Ben over what they deemed to be 'double standards'. 'The female naval workforce feel shockingly let down by his moral high stance and hypocrisy,' the source said. 'Judged for their professional conduct' Earlier this year, during a parliamentary defence select committee discussing women in the Armed Forces, Sir Ben expressed his disapproval of inappropriate relationships within the military. He said: '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.' As a serving member of the military, Sir Ben will probably have fallen foul of the Navy's 'service test', which prohibits relationships between commanders and their subordinates. The military also does not allow behaviour that could harm another serving member's marriage.
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Navy chief set up task force on better behaviour in high command
The head of the Royal Navy, who has stepped down over allegations of a relationship with a junior colleague, had set up a taskforce to ensure better behaviour by commanders. Adml Sir Ben Key, who was allegedly having an extramarital affair with a woman under his command, appointed a Commodore last year to 'support driving cultural, behavioural and leadership improvements across the entirety of the Royal Navy '. This came after Sir Ben had launched a Navy investigation into what he described as 'abhorrent' claims of bullying, misogyny and sexual harassment against women in the Submarine Service. The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower who alleged that a culture of sexual assault, sexual harassment and misogyny was widespread within the service. In a statement accompanying the publication of the investigation's report in October last year, Sir Ben, who is married with three children, said he was setting up a new Head of Culture team reporting directly to the Navy Board. He added: 'This team is instituting and assuring better command cultures and organisational behaviours across the Royal Navy. 'The Royal Navy will do whatever it can within the bounds of the law, and the evidence available, to investigate wrongdoing properly and without hesitation. We must do better than this and do better than we have.' Sir Ben's alleged affair with the junior colleague is now under investigation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). As a serving member of the military he is facing accusations that he has breached the Navy's 'service test', which prohibits relationships between commanders and their subordinates. The military does not allow behaviour that could harm another serving member's marriage. An investigation into service personnel's conduct is known as 'administrative action' and could result in the maximum penalty of reduction in rank or dismissal. Sir Ben, a veteran of the Iraq war who also oversaw the retreat from Afghanistan, had been due to stand down in the summer, when Royal Marine Gen Gwyn Jenkins is set to take over his command. But The Sun, which first reported that Sir Ben had had an affair with a female subordinate, said it understood he was prevented from resigning early to allow the MoD investigation into his behaviour to run its course. One military source who worked closely with Sir Ben said: 'He deserves to be remembered for being much better in leadership, strategic insight and operational insight than any First Sea Lord in a long time. Not this legacy.' The Royal Navy lists integrity as one of its six core values. It says: 'Integrity is that quality of an individual's character that encompasses honesty, sincerity, reliability and unselfishness. It is an essential requirement of both leadership and comradeship. Unless we maintain our integrity, others will not trust us and teamwork will suffer.' Sir Ben has been told to step back from all duties while the investigation is ongoing. Vice-Adml Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, was promoted to First Sea Lord in his absence. An MoD spokesman said: 'An investigation is ongoing, and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Navy chief set up task force on better behaviour in high command
The head of the Royal Navy who has stepped down over allegations of a relationship with a junior colleague had set up a taskforce to ensure better behaviour by commanders. Adml Sir Ben Key, who was allegedly having an extramarital affair with a woman under his command, appointed a Commodore last year to 'support driving cultural, behavioural and leadership improvements across the entirety of the Royal Navy'. This came after Sir Ben had launched a Navy investigation into what he described as 'abhorrent' claims of bullying, misogyny and sexual harassment against women in the Submarine Service. The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower who alleged that a culture of sexual assault, sexual harassment and misogyny was widespread within the service. In a statement accompanying the publication of the investigation's report in October last year, Sir Ben, who is married with three children, said he was setting up a new Head of Culture team reporting directly to the Navy Board. He added: 'This team is instituting and assuring better command cultures and organisational behaviours across the Royal Navy. 'The Royal Navy will do whatever it can within the bounds of the law, and the evidence available, to investigate wrongdoing properly and without hesitation. We must do better than this and do better than we have.' Sir Ben's alleged affair with the junior colleague is now under investigation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). As a serving member of the military he is facing accusations that he has breached the Navy's 'service test' that prohibits relationships between commanders and their subordinates. The military does not allow behaviour that could harm another serving member's marriage. An investigation into service personnel's conduct is known as 'administrative action' and could result in the maximum penalty of reduction in rank or dismissal. Sir Ben, a veteran of the Iraq war who also oversaw the retreat from Afghanistan, had been due to stand down in the summer, when Royal Marine Gen Gwyn Jenkins is set to take over his command. But the Sun newspaper, which first reported that Sir Ben had had an affair with a female subordinate, said it understood he was prevented from resigning early to allow the MoD investigation into his behaviour to run its course. One military source who worked closely with Sir Ben said: 'He deserves to be remembered for being much better in leadership, strategic insight and operational insight than any First Sea Lord in a long time. Not this legacy.' The Royal Navy lists integrity as one of its six core values. It says: 'Integrity is that quality of an individual's character that encompasses honesty, sincerity, reliability and unselfishness. It is an essential requirement of both leadership and comradeship. Unless we maintain our integrity, others will not trust us and teamwork will suffer.' Sir Ben has been told to step back from all duties while the investigation is ongoing. Vice-Adml Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, was promoted to First Sea Lord in his absence. An MoD spokesman said: 'An investigation is ongoing, and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Times
09-05-2025
- Times
Head of Royal Navy suspended over ‘affair with subordinate'
The head of the Royal Navy has been suspended over claims he had an affair with an subordinate, sources have disclosed. Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, a married father of three, was told to 'step back from all duties' while an investigation is carried out, it is understood. It is the first time in the Royal Navy's 500-year history that its first sea lord has faced a misconduct inquiry. Vice-Admiral Sir Martin Connell, the second sea lord, has temporarily replaced him although General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marine, is expected to be given the job imminently. Jenkins will become the first amphibious soldier rather than a sailor to take over the position. Key was due to stand down in the summer. However, he was
