Revealed: ‘Love cheat’ Navy leader Sir Ben Key’s affair with junior feminine officer used to be ‘uncovered after her husband reported them to the MoD’

An affair involving the suspended head of the Royal Navy and a junior feminine officer used to be uncovered via her husband, assets have printed.

Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, used to be advised to ‘step again from all tasks’ final month over claims the married father of 3 had an affair with a feminine officer.

At the time, allies of the previous First Sea Lord claimed the allegation used to be a part of a ‘grimy tips marketing campaign’ in opposition to Sir Ben following months of fierce in-fighting on the most sensible of the Armed Forces.

But now it has emerged the ‘consensual’ dating got here to gentle after the officer’s non-serving husband filed a criticism with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), The Telegraph reported. 

It is known the husband believed Sir Ben will have to be held responsible to the similar requirements as the ones underneath him.

He stands accused of breaching laws barring sexual members of the family between commanders and the ones beneath them in rank, whilst endangering the wedding of a comrade could also be forbidden.

A supply stated: ‘The husband used to be dissatisfied, as a result of this can be a guy who prides himself on his Christian values and the way he used to be raised via missionaries – however used to be doing this with any person else’s spouse.’ 

Sir Ben, who used to be previously in the working to change into the following Chief of the Defence Staff, now faces a misconduct probe. 

Admiral Sir Ben, pictured together with his spouse Elly, is the topic of a misconduct probe following a criticism to the Ministry of Defence in regards to the affair 

Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, stands accused of breaching laws barring sexual members of the family between commanders and the ones beneath them in rank, whilst endangering the wedding of a comrade could also be forbidden

It is the primary time within the 500-year historical past of the Navy that its First Sea Lord has come beneath such scrutiny.

Insiders remember that he had tried to retire ‘quietly’ as soon as the affair used to be uncovered, however General Dame Sharon Nesmith, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and John Healey, the Defence Secretary, insisted on an investigation. 

Many feminine officials specifically are understood to have felt ‘let down’ via Sir Ben’s double requirements. 

The supply stated: ‘The feminine naval personnel feels shockingly let down via his ethical prime stance and hypocrisy.’

In March, Sir Ben seemed in Parliament to offer oral proof at the remedy of girls within the defense force and commented on ‘unwelcome sexual behaviours’.

He advised the defence make a choice committee: ‘We are completely made up our minds to create a Royal Navy during which individuals are judged for his or her skilled behavior, welcomed for the contribution that they make, and accredited for who they’re. 

‘Behaviours that run counter to that is probably not accredited, and specifically the ones round unwelcome sexual behaviours.

‘We have got rid of folks from the carrier, together with those that have commanded, the place we’ve got came upon that their behaviours weren’t suitable, or we’ve got got rid of folks from positions of duty ahead of eventualities have were given out of hand.’

Admiral Sir Ben used to be advised to ‘step again from all tasks’ over claims the married father of 3 had an affair with a feminine officer. He is pictured with King Charles III all the way through a gathering with army chiefs of team of workers at Buckingham Palace on September 17, 2022

In March, Sir Ben seemed in Parliament to offer oral proof at the remedy of girls within the defense force and commented on ‘unwelcome sexual behaviours’ 

Those with regards to Sir Ben in the past advised MoS that they had been ‘stunned’ via the scoop of an affair. 

A senior Navy supply stated: ‘Across the board he’s very talked-about, very competent and nearly all of the naval carrier are extraordinarily stunned and truly unhappy to look it doubtlessly finish like this.’

Another insider added: ‘He is a stand-up bloke and treats everybody neatly.’

His spouse Elly has in the past advised of the ‘burden’ being within the Navy can position on members of the family.

Last week Sir Gwyn Jenkins changed into the primary Royal Marine to be appointed as head of the carrier.

An MoD spokesman stated it might be irrelevant to remark whilst the investigation into the topic continues.