The next patrol of Britain’s nuclear deterrent submarine will be held in quarantine ahead of the deployment, so as to provide a ‘clean crew’.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic the crew of the next nuclear-armed submarine to leave on patrol will initially be held in isolation for two weeks, the Telegraph understands.

The Royal Navy has had a nuclear submarine at sea somewhere around the world every day since 1969. It is the highest priority task of the armed forces.