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Trident 'could be rendered obsolete by hackers' Trident 'could be rendered obsolete by hackers'
(about 2 hours later)
The UK's Trident nuclear weapons systems could be rendered obsolete by cyber attacks, former Defence Secretary Des Browne has warned. The UK's Trident nuclear weapons system could be rendered obsolete by cyber attacks, former Defence Secretary Lord Browne has warned.
The ex-Labour minister told the BBC unless "weak spots" were protected against hackers there was "no guarantee" of a reliable nuclear deterrent when needed. The ex-Labour minister told the BBC unless "weak spots" were protected, there was "no guarantee" of a reliable nuclear deterrent for the PM "when he needs to reach for it".
His comments come ahead of a Commons debate on the future of Trident. Ex-Conservative Defence Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind played down the risk.
The comments come ahead of a Commons debate on the future of Trident.
On Monday it was revealed the cost of renewing the system had risen to £31bn.On Monday it was revealed the cost of renewing the system had risen to £31bn.
The government also said the start date for the replacement submarines had been put back until "the early 2030s" as it unveiled its Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).The government also said the start date for the replacement submarines had been put back until "the early 2030s" as it unveiled its Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
'No guarantee' 'World leader'
The review said the UK was a "world leader" in cyber security.The review said the UK was a "world leader" in cyber security.
Lord Browne, who was defence secretary between 2006 and 2008, told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg ministers had an "obligation" to assure MPs all parts of the nuclear deterrent had been assessed against the risk of a cyber attack and that protections were in place. Lord Browne, who was defence secretary between 2006 and 2008, told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg that ministers had an "obligation" to assure MPs all parts of the nuclear deterrent had been assessed against the risk of a cyber attack and that protections were in place.
He added: "If they are unable to do that then there is no guarantee that we will have a reliable deterrent or the prime minister will be able to use this system when he needs to reach for it." Lord Browne added: "If they are unable to do that then there is no guarantee that we will have a reliable deterrent or the prime minister will be able to use this system when he needs to reach for it."
But another former defence secretary, Conservative Sir Malcolm Rifkind, played down Lord Browne's warnings. But Sir Malcolm said: "The whole point of our nuclear weapons is not whether they would work - 100% guarantee - if they were ever required. You think they will do.
He said: "The whole point of our nuclear weapons is not whether they would work - 100% guarantee - if they were ever required. You think they will do.
"The question is whether an enemy contemplating aggression would be prepared to take the risk.""The question is whether an enemy contemplating aggression would be prepared to take the risk."
In the Commons on Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed MPs would get to vote on whether to renew the four submarines carrying the nuclear missiles. In the Commons on Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed MPs would get a non-binding vote on whether to renew the four submarines carrying the UK's nuclear missiles.
A non-binding vote will take place on Tuesday, as the SNP stages a debate calling for the defence system to be scrapped. Official Labour policy remains to renew Trident, but party leader Jeremy Corbyn is firmly opposed and a review is taking place to consider the party's stance.
The vote could expose divisions within the Labour Party on the subject. Official Labour policy remains to renew Trident, but party leader Jeremy Corbyn is firmly opposed and a review is taking place to consider the party's stance. Analysis
'National endeavour' By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor
Labour MPs are being asked to abstain on the vote - but as many as 20 are thought to be prepared to rebel and vote for Trident to be renewed. Lord Browne's comments may be seized on by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn, who are trying to persuade the Labour Party to abandon its support for the deterrent.
The party's leadership is urging its MPs to abstain in a vote later, called by the SNP, that seeks to reject the renewal of Trident.
The vote will not be binding, but Britain's nuclear deterrent is an increasingly expensive, and politically troublesome issue.
Read more from Laura
Labour MPs are being asked to abstain in the vote - but as many as 20 are thought to be prepared to rebel and vote for Trident to be renewed.
Following a meeting of the party's MPs at Westminster on Monday night, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the debate was an "SNP stunt".Following a meeting of the party's MPs at Westminster on Monday night, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the debate was an "SNP stunt".
The SNP has criticised the "ballooning" cost of Trident, saying the Commons vote could be "the last parliamentary chance to stop this utterly awful project".The SNP has criticised the "ballooning" cost of Trident, saying the Commons vote could be "the last parliamentary chance to stop this utterly awful project".
Speaking during the defence review debate, Angus Robertson, the party's Westminster leader said it was a "super-expensive vanity project" which had failed to deter "against terrorism or cyber attack or conventional attacks on the UK and its allies and friends". 'National endeavour'
Speaking during the SDSR debate, Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said it was a "super-expensive vanity project" which had failed to deter "against terrorism or cyber attack or conventional attacks on the UK and its allies and friends".
The defence review committed the government to a debate on the future of Trident, describing renewing the system as a "national endeavour".The defence review committed the government to a debate on the future of Trident, describing renewing the system as a "national endeavour".
It did not commit the government to a vote on the main renewal decision - however during the Commons debate Mr Cameron said he was "keen" to hold a vote "at the appropriate moment". It did not commit the government to a vote on the main renewal decision, however, during the Commons debate, Mr Cameron said he was "keen" to hold a vote "at the appropriate moment".
The review said the revised cost - including a £10bn contingency - and timescale of the project reflected the "greater understanding we now have about the detailed design of the submarines and their manufacture".The review said the revised cost - including a £10bn contingency - and timescale of the project reflected the "greater understanding we now have about the detailed design of the submarines and their manufacture".
It also pledged £1.9bn over the next five years to protect the UK from cyber attacks.It also pledged £1.9bn over the next five years to protect the UK from cyber attacks.
Other measures in the government's £178bn defence spending plans for the next decade included:Other measures in the government's £178bn defence spending plans for the next decade included:
Mr Cameron said he would make his case for extending air strikes into Syria to MPs on Thursday.