Latest news with #HMSIllustrious
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.'
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.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Navy murderer dubbed 'Frankenstein Killer' denied parole over 'safety' fears
Evil killer Allan Grimson, who has been linked to deaths across the globe, has been denied the chance to walk the streets once again as a parole board found concerns over public safety A murderer dubbed the 'Frankenstein Killer', whose real name is Allan Grimson, has been refused parole, the Mirror can reveal. The notorious Navy serial killer, behind bars for killing two young men, has been linked by police to 20 other deaths. And he is strongly linked to the mysterious disappearance of sailor Simon Parkes, 18, in December 1986. Both men served on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, which had docked in Gibraltar. The teenager, from Bristol, was last seen drinking at the Horseshoe Pub on Main Street, Gibraltar, after the ship docked there. Simon never returned to his vessel and despite numerous searches over the years, the 18-year-old's body has never been found and he is presumed to have been murdered. Witnesses claim to have seen Grimson with Simon during the night on the stopover on December 12, 1986, during HMS Illustrious tour of the Far East. But evil Grimson was caged for the brutal murders of Nicholas Wright, 18, on December 12, 1987, and Sion Jenkins, 20, exactly 12 months later. He lured each victim back to his Portsmouth flat, where he battered them both to death with a baseball bat after they rejected his sexual advances. He then buried them in roadside graves. While he had denied his murders had a sexual element, he told police that killing was 'better than sex' and admitted to scouring the ranks of trainees and cadets so he could dominate and kill the best looking ones. Speaking to detectives about his first killing, Grimson claimed the young man had spurned his attempted seduction, telling police how he punched the air in triumph and gave out a roar as he launched his brutal attack. He told shocked detectives: 'It was such a feeling. I have never had that feeling. It was a feeling of power, a good feeling. I felt good about it.' The bodies of the two men were not found for two years. But then, in 1999, Hampshire police re-examined their disappearances and questioned Grimson. They had learned that Nicholas had complained to his parents, shortly before he went missing, that the fire instructor had been pestering him sexually. Almost immediately Grimson admitted murdering Nicholas, and led detectives to his remains, which had lain undiscovered in the undergrowth near a busy road in Hampshire. 'There is one more body,' he then told the stunned officers. They were led to another lonely spot, a few miles away, where Mr Jenkins' body had been dumped. Detectives then began exploring the possibility he might have killed many more young men, looking into the disappearances of some 20 sailors, visiting ports around the world where he had been ashore while teaching on former naval flagship Illustrious and the Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh. Simon Parke's mum Margaret has never given up hope Margaret has never given up hope of finding her son. She told The Mirror: 'I know Grimson is up for parole but in my opinion he is a very dangerous man and should never be released.' Today the parole board denied Grimson's latest bid for freedom. A spokesman for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Allan Grimson following a paper review. Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. ' In the summary of the board's decision it read: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public. The panel noted that there was no support in professional reports for Mr Grimson's release and it concluded that he was not yet ready to be released. Mr Grimson will be eligible for another parole review in due course."
ITV News
09-05-2025
- ITV News
Head of Royal Navy Ben Key suspended amid reports of ‘affair with subordinate'
The head of the Royal Navy has been suspended from his duties amid an investigation, which multiple reports said related to an alleged relationship with a subordinate. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed an investigation into 59-year-old First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Benjamin Key was 'ongoing'. The Sun and others reported on Friday that the probe relates to an allegation of an inappropriate relationship with a female officer under his command, in breach of the Navy's 'service test'. The Ministry of Defence did not deny the reports when contacted by ITV News. A MOD spokesperson said: 'An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.' Key had reportedly been expected to retire this summer, but it is understood he has been told to step back from his role while the investigation takes place. It is believed to be the first time in the Navy's 500-year history that its top officer has faced a misconduct inquiry. It is understood that the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, has taken full command of the Royal Navy while an investigation takes place. Last year in October, Key issued a f ull apology for 'intolerable' misogyny in the Submarine Service after investigations revealed widespread sexual harassment, bullying and abuse of female personnel. 'We must be better than this and do better than we have," he said in a statement. The married father of three, who has served in the Navy for 40 years, has been in his post as First Sea Lord since 2021. He became a vice admiral in 2016 and then served as fleet commander and chief of joint operations before being appointed First Sea Lord. Key has commanded four Royal Navy ships - HMS Sandown, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Lancaster and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. A veteran of the Iraq War, he was awarded the US Bronze Star and played a key role in the withdrawal from Afghanistan. As First Sea Lord, he also serves as chief of the naval staff and chairs the Navy Board, overseeing the force's effectiveness, efficiency and morale on behalf of the defence secretary.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Head of Royal Navy steps back after investigation into alleged relationship with female colleague
The head of the Royal Navy has stepped back from the job after an investigation was launched into an alleged relationship with a female colleague, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Ministry of Defence confirmed earlier in the week that Admiral Sir Ben Key had stepped away from being First Sea Lord, sending shockwaves through the service. But a spokesperson at the time merely said this was because of "private reasons". A spokesperson on Friday night updated this response to say: "An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time." The Sun and The Financial Times first reported the true reason behind his premature exit. Admiral Key had always been due to step down from leading the Navy in the summer. The FT quoted two people familiar with the matter saying that the investigation related to a relationship with a female subordinate. The Sun said Admiral Key, 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. Admiral Key's sudden disappearance has forced the Navy to cancel its flagship annual Sea Power Conference, which was due to start on Monday with military guests from all over the world. Read more from Sky News: Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell has temporarily taken charge of the service before a full-time replacement is announced. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marines officer who lost out on becoming national security adviser following last year's election, is widely expected to become the next First Sea Lord. If confirmed, he would be the first Royal Marine to head the service. Admiral Key, who was appointed as First Sea Lord in 2021, has placed a strong focus on eliminating unacceptable behaviour in the Navy. Last year, 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." Admiral Key joined the Navy as a cadet in 1984 and commanded two frigates, a minehunter and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. The 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." Sky News has approached Admiral Key via the Ministry of Defence for comment.
