THE submariner fatally injured in a shooting on board HMS Astute in Southampton on Friday (8) has been named by Hampshire Police as 36-year-old Lt Commander Ian Molyneux.

Lt Cmdr Molyneux, a weapons engineering officer, was named by Chief Supt Intendent, David Thomas, at a press briefing held on the steps of Southampton police station at 4pm on Saturday (9).

Chf Supt Thomas said his thoughts and sympathies were with the late officer’s family and friends.

A second man seriously injured in the shooting is conscious and in a stable condition.

“The full circumstances leading to the incident are yet to be established,” said Chf Supt Thomas.

“However, it is important to point out that at no time was submarine security breached or the vessel’s nuclear safety compromised and as such there is no threat to public safety.”

He confirmed that Southampton Magistrates had granted a warrant of further extension to allow police to continue interviewing the suspect, and revealed that 20 witnesses had been questioned.

HMS Astute continues to be treated as a crime scene and has yet to be released to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Operations in the port of Southampton remain unaffected.