The decision to rename the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Agincourt is “woke nonsense”, a former defence secretary has claimed.
The Astute-class attack submarine, which is still under construction, was due to be named in honour of Henry V’s 1415 victory over the French.
But the boat will now be called HMS Achilles, a famous name in Royal Navy history.
Amid speculation the change was prompted to avoid offending the French, former defence secretary Grant Shapps said: “Renaming the HMS Agincourt is nothing short of sacrilege.
“This submarine carries a name that honours a defining moment in British history.
“Under Labour, woke nonsense is being put ahead of tradition and our armed forces’ proud heritage.”
Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace told Times Radio the French would not have been offended by the name.
The 7th Astute-class submarine is to be named HMS Achilles, as approved by The King. The name is appropriate in light of the 80th anniversaries this year of VE and VJ Day. Six ships have previously borne the name, earning six battle honours, including the River Plate and Okinawa. pic.twitter.com/m9G8OvpVKh
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) January 26, 2025
He said: “We’re very close to the French. The French are one of our strongest allies.
“They don’t get put off by names like that.
“I mean, that shows a very pathetic grasp of foreign policy and relationships.”
He added that the French “celebrate their successes” but “also know in their history they didn’t have all the successes”.
“So, if that is the actual reason it’s been renamed, then I would be concerned that it shows we’re focusing on superficial nonsense rather than rebuilding our defence,” he said.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We are proud of our nation’s rich military history and the many famous battles fought.
“The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called Achilles, a name which is particularly appropriate this year as we mark the VE and VJ Day 80th anniversaries.
“Achilles received battle honours during the Second World War.
“The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badging committee and approved by His Majesty the King.”
In October last year Grant Shapps launched Conservatives Together, a group that aims to pick the party back up after a record electoral defeat.
Mr Shapps who lost his own seat in July, told a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference that the organisation was an independent group of MPs, former MPs, candidates and former candidates.
Mr Shapps said it was “definitely not a think tank” and will not be allied to a particular leadership campaign or candidate.
“We are thinking about: ‘How do we support conservatives at every level of the party who are involved in the party to campaign more effectively?’” he said.
