Canadian defence minister Bill Graham, speaking from Glasgow Scotland on Monday, said that he would not rule out a lawsuit [CBC report] against the British government over a recent fire on board the Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi. The ship was one of four diesel-powered subs purchased from Britain's Royal Navy by Canada in 1998; last Tuesday, on its maiden voyage as a Canadian vessel, a major electrical fire started which severely damaged the ship, injured eight, and killed one [CBC report]. Graham said a naval inquiry would guide the Canadian government as to future legal action.

British defence minister Geoff Hoon commented this weekend that the sub was fit to sail [CBC report]. However, the Vancouver Sun reports that the Chicoutimi had so much rust on its hull that Canadian military officals had to restrict how far it was allowed to dive. The Guardian has more. Canada's Department of National Defense has set up a special website on the events surrounding the Chicoutimi.