Scandal Rocks British Royal Navy: Admiral Ben Key Resigns Over Extramarital Affair

A storm of reactions has erupted in the UK as Admiral Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, was forced to resign following an investigation into his extramarital affair with a serving female officer. According to the Ministry of Defence, the 59-year-old admiral, who was due to retire this summer, stepped down for ‘personal reasons.’ However, reports from the Financial Times revealed that these personal reasons were tied to his relationship with a subordinate officer. Media outlet The Sun further disclosed that Admiral Key, who is married with three children, is being investigated for breaching the strict service code of the Royal Navy, which prohibits sexual relationships between officers and their subordinates. Although the officer involved was not directly under his command, Key had previously vowed to eradicate sexual harassment within the armed forces. In 2023, he announced a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against unacceptable behaviors in the Royal Navy. Reports suggest there are concerns about his behavior, including comments made to a senior officer about his younger spouse being ‘pathetic.’