I SEE that the seventh super-duper hunter-killer Astute class nuclear submarine has been ordered at a cost of some £1.5 billion.

To me the most interesting aspect of this development is the vessel’s name. The six other members of the class are unremarkable, ie Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious, Anson, and Agamemnon.

The new ship was supposed to follow on quite logically as Ajax but it now turns out to be Agincourt.

Is this our new Defence Secretary showing his Brexit credentials in a gesture towards President Macron and Monsieur Barnier to remind them that Britain still has some standing in the world as well as our traditional relationship ?

A V Martin,

Westfield Close,

Wigginton,York