Friday, 12 September, 2025
London, UK
Friday, September 12, 2025 6:00 AM
clear sky 11.2°C
Condition: Clear sky
Humidity: 84%
Wind Speed: 16.7 km/h

Head of UK navy suspended amid misconduct probe

The head of the U.K. Royal Navy Admiral Ben Key has been removed from his duties while under investigation over allegations of misconduct, according to media reports.

`The Ministry of Defence didn’t give any further details on the matter he is being investigated for, according to the reports.

But the ministry’s statement follows a report in the Sun that Key was suspected of having an affair with a female subordinate.

Earlier this week, the ministry issued a statement saying Key had “stepped back due to private reasons,” according to a report in the Financial Times. The FT cited people familiar with the matter saying Key’s move was not related to the government’s strategic defense review, expected to be published soon.

Key was due to retire from his position this summer, after serving as the head of the Royal Navy since 2021. This means the search for his successor was already under way.

Key last year made an unreserved apology for “intolerable” misogyny in the Submarine Service, after a series of investigations across the navy exposed sexual harassment, bullying and assault of women within its ranks, according to the Guardian.

LP Staff Writers

Writers at Lord’s Press come from a range of professional backgrounds, including history, diplomacy, heraldry, and public administration. Many publish anonymously or under initials—a practice that reflects the publication’s long-standing emphasis on discretion and editorial objectivity. While they bring expertise in European nobility, protocol, and archival research, their role is not to opine, but to document. Their focus remains on accuracy, historical integrity, and the preservation of events and individuals whose significance might otherwise go unrecorded.

Categories

Follow

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to receive your complimentary login credentials and unlock full access to all features and stories from Lord’s Press.

    As a journal of record, Lord’s Press remains freely accessible—thanks to the enduring support of our distinguished partners and patrons. Subscribing ensures uninterrupted access to our archives, special reports, and exclusive notices.

    LP is free thanks to our Sponsors

    Privacy Overview

    Privacy & Cookie Notice

    This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to help us understand how our content is accessed and used. Cookies are small text files stored in your browser that allow us to recognise your device upon return, retain your preferences, and gather anonymised usage statistics to improve site performance.

    Under EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process this data based on your consent. You will be prompted to accept or customise your cookie preferences when you first visit our site.

    You may adjust or withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings link in the website footer. For more information on how we handle your data, please refer to our full Privacy Policy