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.
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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.”
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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.
