To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 7 September 2015 on Royal Navy operations, when the Department was first made aware of the information that indicates that a UK submarine was responsible for snagging the Karen's nets.
Answered on
11 September 2015
Detailed analysis of operational records is routine, and this revealed that a UK submarine was involved in the incident with the Fishing Vessel Karen. Once this new information was confirmed, the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon) was informed on 6 August 2015.
During August, I held meetings to establish the facts, question the Royal Navy and discuss changes to policy to ensure the safety of fishing vesssels. I then took the earliest opportunity to inform the House and put the public record straight on 7 September 2015.
I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.