The suspended head of the Royal Navy was toppled by a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ amid months of fierce in-fighting at the top of the Armed Forces, it was claimed last night.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, was told to ‘step back from all duties’ over claims the married father of three had an affair with a female officer.
A disciplinary inquiry is under way and Admiral Sir Ben’s staff at Navy Command in Portsmouth are due to be interviewed this week.
A hugely popular officer, news of his suspension has sent shockwaves through the Navy, with allies this weekend claiming he is the victim of a ‘stitch-up’.
It is said he had been clashing with other senior officers, including Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, over the need to make further cuts to the Navy.
Multiple Navy sources did not deny that Admiral Sir Ben is alleged to have had an affair, but they questioned whether his enemies have ruthlessly exploited the controversy to sideline him.
The Mail on Sunday understands the allegation of a relationship was made by an unnamed ‘third party’, who is a fellow serving officer.
‘I think he has been stitched up to get him out of the picture,’ one Navy source said last night. ‘He had constantly raised questions about the delays with new ships, funding for recruiting and the lack of frigates, and he was told to keep quiet. Now he can’t say a thing.’
The suspended head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, (pictured) was toppled by a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ amid months of fierce in-fighting at the top of the Armed Forces, it was claimed last night
Admiral Sir Ben was told to ‘step back from all duties’ over claims the married father of three had an affair with a female officer. He is pictured with King Charles III during a meeting with military chiefs of staff at Buckingham Palace on September 17, 2022
Admiral Sir Ben and his wife Elly pictured during the Service of Commemoration of the United Kingdom
Another source said Admiral Sir Ben believed the Navy had to ‘cut its own cloth’ as part of the ongoing defence review.
This, it is claimed, meant scaling back the ‘pet projects’ of his predecessor, Admiral Sir Tony, who became head of the military in 2021.
‘It looks like a stitch-up – it is all too convenient,’ the source said. ‘There was a massive bust-up over the future direction, funding and policy of the Royal Navy. It’s not a big secret the Navy is in deep trouble.
‘Ben Key was proposing to take quite decisive action to turn the thing around, but that would have involved scrapping lots of the pet projects of Admiral Radakin. There have been continuous disagreements since the beginning of the defence review.’
Admiral Sir Ben stands accused of breaching regulations barring sexual relations between commanders and those below them in rank. There is no suggestion of anything criminal and the relationship is said to be consensual.
Endangering comrades’ marriages is also forbidden, and it is the first time in the Navy’s 500-year history that its First Sea Lord has faced a misconduct probe.
The MoS understands Admiral Sir Ben’s mobile phone, Ministry of Defence computer and email account will be examined by investigators.
A senior Navy source said: ‘Across the board he is very popular, very competent and the majority of the naval service are extremely shocked and really sad to see it potentially end like this.’
Multiple Navy sources did not deny that Admiral Sir Ben (pictured) is alleged to have had an affair, but they questioned whether his enemies have ruthlessly exploited the controversy to sideline him
Sir Ben Key arriving for a service of thanksgiving to mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, at Westminster Abbey in London
Vice Admiral Sir Ben Kay attends a Passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College
Another insider added: ‘He is a stand-up bloke and treats everyone well. In my opinion, he over- compensated when thanking female staff… but that doesn’t mean he was having an affair.
‘Somebody may have got the wrong impression and presumed he was having a fling, but this whole situation doesn’t seem right.’
His wife Elly has previously told of the ‘burden’ being in the Navy can place on family members.
The MoS understands that two of Admiral Sir Ben’s closest allies, Vice Admirals Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, and fleet commander Andrew Burns, have been passed over for promotion and may now retire. Sir Martin will lead the Navy until a replacement is appointed, expected to be General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – the first Royal Marine to head the service.
An MoD spokesman said last night: ‘An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.’
