Married head of Royal Navy sacked after inquiry into affair

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 practising 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.'