Latest news with #AdmiralSirBenKey
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Ex-Royal Navy boss sacked and stripped of admiral's rank over secret affair with subordinate
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. 1 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.' Exclusive by Robin Perrie A NAVY commander swerved jail after head-butting a Marine Sergeant Major at a nuclear base. Lt Cdr Gary Fletcher, 34, behaved like a 'taproom bruiser' when brawling with Hamish Robb after a boxing event at HMNB Clyde, known as Faslane. The military court at Catterick, North Yorks, heard the pair thrashed around on the floor as RSM Robb tried to restrain the 'agitated' senior officer. Fletcher had been boozing to cope with a break-up, it was said. He admitted battery and behaviour likely to discredit His Majesty's forces. He was sentenced to two years loss of seniority, his salary docked, and promotion banned.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former head of Royal Navy sacked after conduct ‘fell far short'
An investigation into former Royal Navy head Admiral Sir Ben Key found he fell 'far short of the values and standards expected'. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said a full investigation has resulted in the termination of his service and commission. 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 said: '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.' Sir Ben was the first sea lord from 2021 until May this year, when he was succeeded by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines. Educated at Bromsgrove School, in Worcestershire, Admiral 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.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Married head of Royal Navy sacked after inquiry into affair with female colleague
The head of the Royal Navy has been sacked following an inquiry into his extra-marital affair with a female colleague, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Admiral Sir Ben Key had been suspended while claims of his relationship were investigated by senior officers. The First Sea Lord is one of the highest ranking military officers to be dismissed from this country's armed forces for inappropriate behaviour. The married father-of-three, who was previously entrusted with leading investigations into sexual abuse within the Royal Navy, has also been stripped off his commission. Sir Ben, 59, was ordered to step back from his duties in May over claims of an affair with a female officer. It then emerged last month how the probe into his conduct was launched following a complaint by the husband of the female officer. The non-serving husband filed a formal complaint to the Ministry of Defence when he learned of his wife's behaviour. The subsequent inquiry looked into whether Sir Ben's affair breached strict regulations barring sexual relations between commanders and those in their chain of command. Sir Ben, who is understood to be a practicing Christian had been considered a candidate to lead the UK's armed forces. In a statement released tonight, he 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.'
The Sun
25-06-2025
- The Sun
Royal Navy commander facing six months in jail for drunken assault on a comrade
A ROYAL Navy commander faces six months in jail and the sack after drunkenly battering a comrade at a nuclear missile base. Lieutenant Commander Gary Fletcher, who works HMNB Clyde in Faslane, was convicted of 'misconduct through alcohol or drugs ' and battery. 1 It comes after three former submarine captains were stripped of their OBEs after sex abuse and bullying scandals. A fourth sub commander is due to stand trial for over claims of a drug-fuelled sex assault on a junior. And the former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key is currently under investigation over an alleged affair with a female subordinate. Lt Cdr Fletcher served as a logistics officer at the doomsday submarine base home to the UK's nuclear deterrent. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday. It is the latest scandal to rock the silent service after 21 sailors were sacked in the wake of a major misconduct probe last year. Whistleblower Sophie Brook revealed comrades had made 'crush depth rape lists' of comrades they would assault of their submarine was doomed. Her captain punched her in the kidneys, licked her ear and blew on her neck, an investigation found. The Sun also revealed that another submarine made an x-rated sex film while in command of Trident 2 nuclear missiles on HMS Victorious. In a separate case, Lt Cdr John Cursiter, 46, was charged with possessing illegal drugs, sexual assault and false imprisonment. The former executive officer of HMS Vanguard, a doomsday missile sub, could face up to five years in prison. The UK has four Vanguard class submarines armed with doomsday nuclear missiles and one is always on patrol. It is known as the Continuous At Sea Deterrent and always ready to strike back in the event of nuclear war A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "The Royal Navy holds its personnel to the highest standards of conduct. Any allegations of unacceptable or criminal behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences. 'It would be inappropriate to provide further comment while legal proceedings are taking place'.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- The Sun
Three disgraced former submarine captains stripped of their OBEs by King over sex & bullying scandals
THREE disgraced former submarine captains have been stripped of their OBEs by the King. Top brass urged ministers to withdraw the prestigious gongs from the trio over sex and bullying scandals. One had made an X-rated film on HMS Victorious and a second, nominated for an OBE during his misconduct probe, licked a female officer's ear, blew on her neck and punched her on HMS Vigilant. Both vessels carry nuclear missiles. The third was found guilty of bullying on nuclear-powered attack sub HMS Trenchant. All three were commanders — James Bond 's rank — and led crews of more than 130. The Navy asked the Cabinet Office Forfeiture Committee to strip the men of their awards and King Charles gave final approval. It comes after former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key had vowed to stamp out intolerable behaviour in the service. But he was suspended last month over an alleged affair with a subordinate and could lose his knighthood or CBE. A Defence source said: 'It used to be understood that you'd lose your honour if you went to jail, but this is different. "These guys are guilty of serious misconduct, but they aren't convicted criminals. "It feels like the forfeiture bar has been lowered.' Breaking the Oath: Affair and corruption in the police force A Navy spokesman said: 'Any allegations of unacceptable behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences.' Only eight other Armed Forces ' members have forfeited honours this century, all after criminal convictions. They include at least five paedophiles.
