Police Join Royal Navy In Hunt For AWOL Submariner

The police have now joined the Royal Navy in the hunt for a submariner who has gone absent without leave (AWOL).

Able Seaman William McNeilly disappeared last week after posting an 18-page document online in which he made claims about the safety and security of the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent, calling it a "disaster waiting to happen".

The 25-year-old, who says he is an Engineering Technician Submariner and served aboard HMS Victorious this year, detailed what he said were fire risks and leaks on board.

He also alleges that security checks, on both military personnel and contractors working on the submarines, when docked at HMS Faslane are rarely carried out and some secure areas of the base were easier to get into "than most nightclubs".

The Able Seaman says he initially raised his concerns with senior officers but after being ignored published his claims online.

A Royal Navy spokeswoman said "The Royal Navy takes security and nuclear safety extremely seriously and we are fully investigating both the issue of the unauthorised release of this document and its contents."

"The naval service operates its submarine fleet under the most stringent safety regime and submarines do not go to sea unless they are completely safe to do so.. The Navy is concerned for the whereabouts and wellbeing of Able Seaman McNeilly and is working closely with civilian police to locate him”