Ben Key, former First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, was stripped of his knighthood and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) following his dismissal over an extramarital affair with a junior officer. Despite Royal Navy regulations not explicitly forbidding sexual relationships between serving personnel—provided they are not within the same chain of command—Key’s position as the highest-ranking officer raised concerns about the impact on morale. The affair came to light after a complaint from the husband of the junior officer involved, rather than the woman herself.

While Key’s dismissal and removal of honours were defended by some as appropriate due to his leadership role, others have questioned whether the penalty was excessive, especially given the absence of criminal conduct. Critics note that adultery has a long, if controversial, history in naval circles and argue that Key’s professional record was otherwise exemplary. Additionally, the loss of his wife’s courtesy title, Lady Key, has been seen by some as a harsh consequence of the affair.

The mechanism responsible for revoking honours is the forfeiture committee, which evaluates whether an individual’s conduct has brought the honours system into disrepute. Its recommendations are submitted to the prime minister and ultimately to the King, who has the final authority. Observers have remarked on an apparent inconsistency in how honours are revoked, citing Key’s case alongside those of several peers convicted or accused of serious offences who have retained their titles.

For example, Jeffrey Archer, a convicted perjurer who served a four-year jail sentence for bribing a witness, kept his peerage until his death. Nazir Ahmed, expelled from the House of Lords for sexual offences committed as a teenager and for exploiting a vulnerable woman during his peerage, also retained his title. Lord Brocket, sentenced to five years in prison for insurance fraud and currently facing rape charges, Lord Taylor of Warwick, sentenced for expenses fraud, and Michelle Mone, under investigation in connection with alleged faulty pandemic equipment supplied by her company, have similarly held onto their peerages despite legal troubles.

This discrepancy has been attributed in part to the dual nature of peerages, which function both as honours and as positions granting seats in the House of Lords. The political patronage system enables parties to reward loyalists with peerages, sometimes attracting individuals whose behaviour later causes scandal. Historical protections mean that only an act of Parliament can strip a peer of their title, making it a difficult and rare process.

Calls for reform have intensified, with some advocating separating the honours system from the legislature entirely, proposing a model akin to France’s Légion d’honneur for recognising service and merit. Others urge changes to the selection and removal processes for peers to ensure greater accountability and to prevent political patronage from undermining public trust. Although Sir Keir Starmer pledged reforms following recent controversies, no substantial changes have yet been implemented, leaving the current system vulnerable to criticism over inconsistency and perceived unfairness.