Head of Royal Navy investigated after 'affair with junior officer'

Admiral Sir Benjamin Key pictured last year (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The head of the Royal Navy has stepped back from his duties amid an ‘affair with a subordinate’.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has started an investigation into First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Benjamin Kelly,59.

Sir Benjamin was reportedly expected to retire this summer,but in the meantime Second Sea Lord,Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell,has taken command of the Navy in his place.

He has served in the Navy for 40 years and has been First Sea Lord since 2021.

It’s been reported the investigation relates to an allegation of having an inappropriate relationship with a female officer.

While Sky News reports the woman involved was not in his immediate chain of command,as head of the Navy,Sir Benjamin is in overall charge of all personnel.

This would be a breach of the Navy’s ‘service test’,which bans sexual relationships between commanders and their subordinates.

Sir Benjamin has focused on eliminating unacceptable behaviour during his time as First Sea Lord,declaring last year that he had ‘zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviours.’

In 2022,he said: ‘Those who do not wish to serve in accordance with the values and standards of life in the United Kingdom’s armed forces will be removed.

‘There is no place for you.’

At first,the Navy said Sir Benjamin had stepped away from his role for ‘private reasons’,but they have since said: ‘An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.’

The First Sea Lord is responsible for the fighting effectiveness,efficiency and morale of the Navy.

Educated at Bromsgrove School,in Worcestershire,he joined the navy in 1984 as a University Cadet.

He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a Principal Warfare Officer,and as a junior officer saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.

Sir Benjamin,who lives in Dorset,was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2021. He is married with three children.

The investigation has forced the Navy to postpone its annual Sea Power Conference,which was due to start on Monday and welcome military guests from around the world.

Metro has contacted Sir Benjamin via the Royal Navy for comment