A British nuclear submarine that collided with a merchant vessel off the coast of Gibraltar and was forced to dock in the territory left on Friday, the defence ministry said. The incident on July 20 sparked environmental fears as well as concerns it could lead to yet another diplomatic row between London and Madrid, which wants Gibraltar back centuries after it was ceded to Britain in 1713. A defence ministry spokeswoman said HMS Ambush -- the front of its conning tower still damaged -- had left and was "absolutely safe to go to sea," although she refused to tell AFP where it was headed.
