The former head of the Royal Navy has been stripped of his knighthood and CBE after he was sacked following claims he had an affair with a junior female officer.
uncertain
he → strip → officer
Ben Key was suspended as First Sea Lord in May 2025 with an investigation finding the married father-of-three fell 'far short of expected standards'.
uncertain
father → suspend → standards
The investigation resulted in the termination of his service and commission, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in July 2025.
asserted
Ministry → result → July
Mr Key, who is the first Sea Lord in history to have his service terminated, is no longer an admiral but will continue to receive his pension.
asserted
who → have → pension
He said in a statement on Thursday: 'More than a year after stepping down, I have been informed of the outcome of an honours review relating to my previous conduct.
'
asserted
I → say → conduct
I fully accept the outcome and the need for accountability, especially for those of us who have held leadership positions in the armed services.
asserted
who → accept → services
It was a great privilege to serve my career in the Royal Navy.
asserted
It → serve → Navy
I deeply regret what happened and the impact my actions have had on others.
asserted
actions → regret → others
I remain very grateful for the support of my family and friends throughout this past year.'
asserted
I → remain → year
It is believed the alleged affair came to light after the female officer's non-serving husband lodged a complaint with the MoD.
Ben Key, the former head of the Royal Navy has been stripped of his knighthood and CBE after he was sacked following claims he allegedly had an affair with a junior female officer
uncertain
he → believe → officer
Mr Key, pictured with his wife Elly, was the subject of a misconduct probe following a complaint to the Ministry of Defence about the alleged affair
Mr Key was accused of breaking the service test, which strictly forbids sexual relationships between commanders and their subordinates.
It is understood the junior officer's husband believed Mr Key should be held accountable to the same standards as those beneath him.
asserted
Key → picture → him
Mr Key was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2021.
asserted
Key → make → 2021
He was also in the running to become the next Chief of Defence Staff.
asserted
He → become → Staff
Now, he has been stripped of his honours, marking the first time in the 500-year history of the Royal Navy that its First Sea Lord has come under such scrutiny.
asserted
Lord → strip → scrutiny
Those close to him previously said they were 'shocked' by the affair allegations, with many female officers feeling let down by his conduct.
asserted
officers → say → conduct
Insiders understand that Mr Key had attempted to retire 'quietly' once the alleged affair was exposed, but General Dame Sharon Nesmith, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and John Healey, the Defence Secretary, insisted on an investigation.
asserted
Nesmith → understand → investigation
Mr Key is pictured with King Charles III during a meeting with military chiefs of staff at Buckingham Palace on September 17, 2022
In March 2025, Mr Key appeared in Parliament to provide oral evidence on the treatment of women in the armed forces and commented on 'unwelcome sexual behaviours'
In March 2025, Mr Key appeared in Parliament to provide evidence on the treatment of women in the armed forces and commented on 'unwelcome sexual behaviours'.
asserted
Key → picture → behaviours
He told the defence select committee: 'We are absolutely determined to create a Royal Navy in which people are judged for their professional conduct, welcomed for the contribution that they make, and accepted for who they are.
asserted
they → tell → that
'Behaviours that run counter to that will not be accepted, and particularly those around unwelcome sexual behaviours.
asserted
that → run → behaviours
We have removed people from the service, including those who have commanded, where we have discovered that their behaviours were not appropriate, or we have removed people from positions of responsibility before situations have got out of hand.
asserted
situations → remove → hand
'
Mr Key was First Sea Lord from 2021 until May 2025, when he was succeeded by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines.
uncertain
he → succeed → Marines
Educated at Bromsgrove School in Worcestershire, he joined the Navy in 1984 as a university cadet.
asserted
he → educate → cadet
He qualified as both a helicopter aircrew and principal warfare officer, and as a junior officer saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.
asserted
He → qualify → frigates
His wife Elly previously told of the 'burden' being in the Navy can place on families.
asserted
being → tell → families
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: 'The Royal Navy holds its personnel to the highest standards of conduct.
'
asserted
Navy → say → conduct
Any allegations of unacceptable behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences.
asserted
those → investigate → consequences
'This includes referral to the Cabinet Office Forfeitures Committee for the withdrawal of state honours.'
asserted
This → include → honours
The Aporia
