The head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Ben Key, has been sacked after an investigation found that his behaviour fell “far short” of the standards expected, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
Key, who the Financial Times reported in May had stepped back from his role following a relationship with a female subordinate, was found “to have fallen far short of values and standards expected of service personnel”.
“This has resulted in termination of service and his commission,” the MoD added.
Key had first notified chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and defence secretary John Healey last year of his intention to step down this summer.
Radakin said on Wednesday: “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, who is expected to keep his military pension following his termination, said on Wednesday: “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.”
Key also thanked his wife, friends and family for their support during what he said was a “very difficult time”.
The Royal Navy has been trying to show it is responsive to allegations of inappropriate behaviour after an investigation last year raised issues within parts of the service.
In 2024, following an investigation into mistreatment of female members of the submarine service that found evidence of bullying, misogyny and other unacceptable behaviours, Key offered an apology on behalf of the Navy, telling whistleblower Sophie Brook he was “truly sorry”.
Brook, whose complaints of a culture of sexual harassment and even assault in the submarine service led to the launch of the investigation in 2022, said upon its release that she hoped it was not just a “token gesture”.
In May Healey appointed General Sir Gwyn Jenkins as the next First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. The former Royal Marine had been tasked with continuing “the modernisation of the Royal Navy”, Radakin said at the time.
The Royal Navy was the biggest winner from the government’s strategic defence review last month, with the service expected to expand its fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines from seven to 12, with up to 12 new attack boats developed by the UK’s Aukus partnership with the US and Australia.
The navy will focus on home defence and operations in the north Atlantic, stopping the encroachment by Russian submarines under a plan known as the “Atlantic Bastion”.
