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.