When leaders fail the ‘Service Standards’

Sir Ben Key, the former First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, who was vocal on ‘zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour’, has recently been dismissed from service following an investigation which found he failed to meet the ‘standards expected’ of his rank. The investigation centred on allegations of a relationship with a female colleague, which was found to have fallen below the conduct expected of a leader.

In the military, upholding the highest standards of conduct is essential to maintain discipline, trust, and operational effectiveness. The Armed Forces Code of Social Conduct, detailed in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 887, provides a clear framework for these expectations, holding all personnel accountable for their behaviour regardless of rank or gender. It outlines specific behaviours that can undermine the trust and loyalty between commanders and those they lead, including the misuse of rank, and inappropriate relationships, which can be damaging for operational effectiveness. The Code prohibits:

• unwelcome sexual attention in the form of physical or verbal
• over-familiarity with the spouses, civil partners or partners of other service personnel
• displays of affection which might cause offence to others
• behaviour which damages or puts at risk the marriage, civil partnership or personal relationships of service personnel or civilian colleagues within the wider Defence community
• misuse of rank or taking advantage of subordinates
• probing into a person’s private life and relationships

At the heart of the Code lies the Service Test: “Have the actions or behaviours of an individual adversely impacted, or are they likely to impact, on the efficiency or operational effectiveness of the service?”

This test establishes the seriousness of the misconduct and ensures a proportionate level of sanction. While Sir Ben Key’s dismissal reinforces the importance of leadership in setting the right example, it also highlights the critical need for change to be driven from the top down. As more personnel come forward with reports of inappropriate behaviour, from verbal abuse to sexual harassment, it is more important than ever that leaders at the highest level embody the standards they expect of others.

The Royal Navy, like all branches of the Armed Forces, is working to improve its culture and address unacceptable behaviour. The outcome of this high-profile case reinforces the importance of these issues and the clear requirement for robust and consistent accountability.

According to the BBC, Sir Ben has been stripped of his commission but he retains his knighthood and his pension.

If you have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour during your service, you are not alone. The integrity of the Armed Forces depends on the courage of people who are willing to speak out. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, our specialist military team have years of experience helping service personnel navigate these complex issues. We can help you understand your options and seek justice for the harm you have suffered.

Contact our team today for a confidential and no-obligation discussion about your case.