Latest news with #GwynJenkins
The Independent
an hour ago
- 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.
Times
2 hours ago
- 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.
Spectator
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The crisis facing the Royal Navy
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins is stepping into the role of First Sea Lord at a difficult time, with the Royal Navy's fleet in a sorry state. On 22 April, Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) set sail on an eight-month publicity tour, leaving British waters sparsely defended. Keir Starmer posed on the flight deck of HMS The Prince of Wales, his battleship grey hair perfectly set like a middle-aged Ken doll. He said the CSG25 shows 'the UK's leadership on global issues and security and defence'. It really doesn't. Britain could only field one of its two carriers, one destroyer, one frigate and one attack submarine. The Royal Navy also has insufficient logistics vessels to support the deployment, with no new solid store ships expected before the end of this decade. Today, besides coastal patrol vessels, all we have to defend British shores are one seaworthy destroyer, two frigates and one attack submarine. The Royal Navy has shrunk in the teeth of defence cuts and each new efficiency drive makes it smaller.
Russia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
British general accused of killings cover-up takes helm of Royal Navy
The British government has appointed General Gwyn Jenkins as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff. Approved by King Charles III on Thursday, the decision follows unresolved allegations that Jenkins had failed to report suspected war crimes in Afghanistan and later obstructed the relocation of key witnesses. The general succeeds Admiral Ben Key, who stepped down last week amid an ongoing misconduct investigation. Media reports suggest that the probe centers on Key's alleged affair with a more junior female colleague. Jenkins came under scrutiny two years ago when the BBC reported that the then-Vice-Chief of the Defense Staff had failed to forward evidence of Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers executing handcuffed detainees in Afghanistan to the Royal Military Police. At the time, Jenkins did not respond to the allegations. The UK Ministry of Defense stated that it was 'not appropriate for us to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the statutory inquiry.' In April 2024, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Jenkins—then Vice-Chief of the Defense Staff—as National Security Adviser. However, the appointment was later reversed by the incoming government led by Keir Starmer. While Starmer declined to comment on individual appointments, he emphasized the need for an 'open and transparent process' for future nominations. Media outlets attributed the reversal to Jenkins' implication in the ongoing inquiry. Earlier this month, BBC Panorama reported that Jenkins had overseen the rejection of hundreds of relocation applications submitted by Afghan commandos who had served alongside British forces and possessed direct knowledge of UK military operations. The report stated that these rejections effectively blocked key witnesses from reaching Britain and testifying in the public inquiry into the Afghan conflict.
Russia Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
General accused of Afghan cover-up takes helm of Royal Navy
The British government has appointed General Gwyn Jenkins as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff. Approved by King Charles III on Thursday, the decision follows unresolved allegations that Jenkins had failed to report suspected war crimes in Afghanistan and later obstructed the relocation of key witnesses. The general succeeds Admiral Ben Key, who stepped down last week amid an ongoing misconduct investigation. Media reports suggest that the probe centers on Key's alleged affair with a more junior female colleague. Jenkins came under scrutiny two years ago when the BBC reported that the then-Vice-Chief of the Defense Staff had failed to forward evidence of Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers executing handcuffed detainees in Afghanistan to the Royal Military Police. At the time, Jenkins did not respond to the allegations. The UK Ministry of Defense stated that it was 'not appropriate for us to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the statutory inquiry.' In April 2024, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Jenkins—then Vice-Chief of the Defense Staff—as National Security Adviser. However, the appointment was later reversed by the incoming government led by Keir Starmer. While Starmer declined to comment on individual appointments, he emphasized the need for an 'open and transparent process' for future nominations. Media outlets attributed the reversal to Jenkins' implication in the ongoing inquiry. Earlier this month, BBC Panorama reported that Jenkins had overseen the rejection of hundreds of relocation applications submitted by Afghan commandos who had served alongside British forces and possessed direct knowledge of UK military operations. The report stated that these rejections effectively blocked key witnesses from reaching Britain and testifying in the public inquiry into the Afghan conflict.
