In a scathing critique, GB News star Andrew Pierce has dismissed the submarine naming controversy as "ridiculous", pointing out a glaring inconsistency in the decision.
"HMS Achilles sank the Admiral Grafs Spee in 1939, a German cruiser, killing dozens, if not hundreds. So we don't care about offending the Germans, do we? There's no logic to it. It's idiotic", Andrew said on the People's Channel.
"As if the French care about this? If you go to Agincourt, it's a boring field", he added.
King Charles III has sparked controversy by overturning a decision made by the late Queen Elizabeth to name a £1.5billion submarine HMS Agincourt.
Andrew Pierce is furious at the move
GB NEWS / GETTY
The monarch has instead approved the name HMS Achilles for the under-construction hunter-killer submarine.
The decision was reportedly made last year amid concerns that the original name, referencing the 1415 battle, would upset French sensibilities.
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Andrew has claimed the controversial renaming is actually a government decision, rather than a royal initiative.
"I do not believe the King felt the name of this submarine should be taken away because it would offend the French", he stated.
"It's the Government - it has to be passed by the King because he's the Commander-in-Chief. He has to sign it off", he explained.
"It's a typical Labour woke decision", he added.
Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner discussed the move on GB News
GB NEWS
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has condemned the decision, describing it as showing a "pathetic grasp of foreign policy".
The criticism was echoed by former NATO commander Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who branded the move "craven political correctness and ideology gone mad".
These sharp rebukes from senior military figures highlight growing concerns about political sensitivities influencing naval traditions.
The submarine's original name was approved by Queen Elizabeth in 2018, when Sir Gavin Williamson was defence secretary.
At that time, the Ministry of Defence signed a £1.5 billion contract to build the seventh Astute-class hunter-killer submarine, which was to be called HMS Agincourt.
The King reportedly intervened last year, making it clear the name had to be changed to avoid upsetting Anglo-French relations.
A Royal Navy spokesperson defended the decision, emphasising their pride in Britain's military heritage.
"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", the spokesperson said.
"Achilles received battle honours during the Second World War", they added.
The name was formally proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badging Committee before receiving royal approval.
