Was ‘love cheat’ Navy leader Sir Ben Kay uncovered by way of enemies inside? Insiders declare First Sea Lord used to be stitched up by way of competitors because the MoD launches probe into his alleged affair with a feminine officer

The suspended head of the Royal Navy used to be toppled by way of a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ amid months of fierce in-fighting on the best of the Armed Forces, it used to be claimed final night time.

Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, used to be informed to ‘step back from all duties’ over claims the married father of 3 had an affair with a feminine officer.

A disciplinary inquiry is below means and Admiral Sir Ben’s personnel at Navy Command in Portsmouth are because of be interviewed this week.

A vastly widespread officer, information of his suspension has despatched shockwaves in the course of the Navy, with allies this weekend claiming he’s the sufferer of a ‘stitch-up’.

It is alleged he were clashing with different senior officials, together with Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, over the wish to make additional cuts to the Navy. 

Multiple Navy resources didn’t deny that Admiral Sir Ben is said to have had an affair, however they puzzled whether or not his enemies have ruthlessly exploited the debate to sideline him.

The Mail on Sunday understands the allegation of a courting used to be made by way of an unnamed ‘third party’, who’s a fellow serving officer.

Admiral Sir Ben used to be informed to ‘step back from all duties’ over claims the married father of 3 had an affair with a feminine officer (pictured with King Charles III all over a gathering with army chiefs of personnel at Buckingham Palace on September 17, 2022)

Admiral Sir Ben and his spouse Elly pictured all over the Service of Commemoration of the United Kingdom 

‘I believe he has been stitched as much as get him out of the image,’ one Navy supply stated final night time. ‘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 factor.’

Another supply stated Admiral Sir Ben believed the Navy needed to ‘cut its own cloth’ as a part of the continuing defence assessment. This, it’s claimed, supposed scaling again the ‘pet projects’ of his predecessor, Admiral Sir Tony, who turned into head of the army in 2021.

‘It looks like a stitch-up – it is all too convenient,’ the supply stated. ‘There was a massive bust-up over the future direction, funding and policy of the Royal Navy. It’s now not a large secret the Navy is in serious trouble. Ben Key used to be proposing to take slightly decisive motion to show the item round, however that might have concerned scrapping quite a lot of the puppy tasks of Admiral Radakin.

‘There have been continuous disagreements since the beginning of the defence review.’

Admiral Sir Ben stands accused of breaching laws barring sexual members of the family between commanders and the ones underneath them in rank. There is not any advice of the rest felony and the connection is alleged to be consensual.

Endangering comrades’ marriages may be forbidden, and it’s the first time within the Navy’s 500-year historical past that its First Sea Lord has confronted a misconduct probe.

The MoS understands Admiral Sir Ben’s cell phone, Ministry of Defence pc and e-mail account can be tested by way of investigators. A senior Navy supply stated: ‘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 resources didn’t deny that Admiral Sir Ben is said to have had an affair, however they puzzled whether or not his enemies have ruthlessly exploited the debate to sideline him

Endangering comrades’ marriages may be forbidden, and it’s the first time within the Navy’s 500-year historical past that its First Sea Lord has confronted a misconduct probe

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, were handed over for promotion and would possibly now retire

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 imply he used to be having an affair.

‘Somebody may have got the wrong impression and presumed he was having a fling, but this whole situation doesn’t appear proper.’

His spouse Elly has up to now informed of the ‘burden’ being within the Navy can position on members of the family.

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, were handed over for promotion and would possibly now retire. Sir Martin will lead the Navy till a alternative is appointed, anticipated to be General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – the primary Royal Marine to move the provider.

An MoD spokesman stated final night time: ‘An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.’