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Opposition seek explanation over Trident test 'fail' | Opposition seek explanation over Trident test 'fail' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Labour and the Scottish National Party are urging the government to give a full explanation to MPs on how a test firing of a Trident missile went wrong. | Labour and the Scottish National Party are urging the government to give a full explanation to MPs on how a test firing of a Trident missile went wrong. |
The unarmed missile reportedly veered off course a few weeks before MPs voted to renew the nuclear weapons system. | The unarmed missile reportedly veered off course a few weeks before MPs voted to renew the nuclear weapons system. |
The Ministry of Defence says submarine HMS Vengeance and its crew were "successfully tested". | The Ministry of Defence says submarine HMS Vengeance and its crew were "successfully tested". |
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said it was "extremely worrying" Parliament had not been told of June's incident. | Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said it was "extremely worrying" Parliament had not been told of June's incident. |
Nia Griffith, Labour's shadow defence secretary, is calling for the prime minister to give "a full explanation" to MPs later. | Nia Griffith, Labour's shadow defence secretary, is calling for the prime minister to give "a full explanation" to MPs later. |
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon - a long-standing opponent of Trident, whose submarines are based at Faslane, on the River Clyde - said the apparent misfire was a "hugely serious issue". | Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon - a long-standing opponent of Trident, whose submarines are based at Faslane, on the River Clyde - said the apparent misfire was a "hugely serious issue". |
The SNP leader tweeted: "There should be full disclosure of what happened, who knew what/when, and why the House of Commons wasn't told." | The SNP leader tweeted: "There should be full disclosure of what happened, who knew what/when, and why the House of Commons wasn't told." |
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says the Royal Navy has carried out half a dozen such tests since 2000 and in the past has publicised successful launches, but this time did not. | |
'Absolute faith' | 'Absolute faith' |
HMS Vengeance, one of the UK's four Vanguard-class submarines, returned to sea for trials in December 2015 after a £350m refit, which included the installation of new missile launch equipment and upgraded computer systems. | HMS Vengeance, one of the UK's four Vanguard-class submarines, returned to sea for trials in December 2015 after a £350m refit, which included the installation of new missile launch equipment and upgraded computer systems. |
According to the Sunday Times, the unarmed Trident II D5 missile was intended to be fired 5,600 miles (9,012 km) from the coast of Florida to a sea target off the west coast of Africa - but veered towards the US. | According to the Sunday Times, the unarmed Trident II D5 missile was intended to be fired 5,600 miles (9,012 km) from the coast of Florida to a sea target off the west coast of Africa - but veered towards the US. |
In July, days after Theresa May had become prime minister following David Cameron's resignation, MPs backed the £40bn renewal of Trident by 472 votes to 117. | In July, days after Theresa May had become prime minister following David Cameron's resignation, MPs backed the £40bn renewal of Trident by 472 votes to 117. |
During the debate, Mrs May told MPs it would be "an act of gross irresponsibility" for the UK to abandon its nuclear weapons. | During the debate, Mrs May told MPs it would be "an act of gross irresponsibility" for the UK to abandon its nuclear weapons. |
But all 52 SNP MPs voted against it - as did 47 Labour MPs including party leader Jeremy Corbyn. | But all 52 SNP MPs voted against it - as did 47 Labour MPs including party leader Jeremy Corbyn. |
Questioned by the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday, Prime Minister Theresa May refused four times to say whether she had known about the test firing ahead of the vote. | |
Mrs May said: "I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles. When I made that speech in the House of Commons, what we were talking about was whether or not we should renew our Trident." | Mrs May said: "I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles. When I made that speech in the House of Commons, what we were talking about was whether or not we should renew our Trident." |
Mr Corbyn said the reports called for "a serious discussion". | Mr Corbyn said the reports called for "a serious discussion". |
He told Sky News: "It's a pretty catastrophic error when a missile goes in the wrong direction." | He told Sky News: "It's a pretty catastrophic error when a missile goes in the wrong direction." |
Kate Hudson, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said: "There's absolutely no doubt that this would have impacted on the debate in Parliament." | Kate Hudson, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said: "There's absolutely no doubt that this would have impacted on the debate in Parliament." |
Admiral Lord West, the Labour peer and former First Sea Lord, said it was "bizarre and stupid" to not tell anyone about the test. | |
But Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former Royal Navy officer and Nato commander, told the BBC: "Quite a lot of these shots nowadays are being done to test the limits of the system, so that we can get the next generation of ballistic missiles in. | |
"It may well be that they were testing this missile close to its flight limits, so they could see where it wasn't going to work." | "It may well be that they were testing this missile close to its flight limits, so they could see where it wasn't going to work." |
A statement issued by Downing Street and the MoD said the capability and effectiveness of Trident was "unquestionable". | A statement issued by Downing Street and the MoD said the capability and effectiveness of Trident was "unquestionable". |
"In June the Royal Navy conducted a routine, unarmed Trident missile test launch from HMS Vengeance, as part of an operation which is designed to certify the submarine and its crew. | "In June the Royal Navy conducted a routine, unarmed Trident missile test launch from HMS Vengeance, as part of an operation which is designed to certify the submarine and its crew. |
"Vengeance and her crew were successfully tested and certified, allowing Vengeance to return into service. We have absolute confidence in our independent nuclear deterrent." | "Vengeance and her crew were successfully tested and certified, allowing Vengeance to return into service. We have absolute confidence in our independent nuclear deterrent." |
What is Trident? | What is Trident? |
The Trident system was acquired by the Thatcher government in the early 1980s as a replacement for the Polaris missile system, which the UK had possessed since the 1960s. | The Trident system was acquired by the Thatcher government in the early 1980s as a replacement for the Polaris missile system, which the UK had possessed since the 1960s. |
Trident came into use in the 1990s. There are three parts to it - submarines, missiles and warheads. Although each component has years of use left, they cannot last indefinitely. | Trident came into use in the 1990s. There are three parts to it - submarines, missiles and warheads. Although each component has years of use left, they cannot last indefinitely. |
The current generation of four submarines would begin to end their working lives some time in the late 2020s. | The current generation of four submarines would begin to end their working lives some time in the late 2020s. |
A guide to the Trident debate | A guide to the Trident debate |