'Below the standard' | Former Royal Navy chief sacked over affair with subordinate

The former head of the Royal Navy has been dismissed and stripped of his commission following an affair with a female subordinate. The decision, made by the Defence Council, followed an investigation triggered by a complaint from the woman’s husband.

Admiral Ben Key, 59, had already stepped back from his duties in May while the allegations were examined. The Ministry of Defence concluded that his behaviour had “fallen far short” of the values expected of senior military figures.

Navy ‘expects highest standards’ from its personnel

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff and Key’s immediate superior, 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.”

In a statement, Key, a married father-of-three who joined the Navy in 1984, accepted the decision and acknowledged he had failed to uphold the standards he once promoted. “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,” he said. “I am very sorry to those I have hurt personally, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy.”