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| No.10 admits Theresa May did know about nuclear test where missile 'veered towards America' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Theresa May did know about last year’s controversial test firing of a Trident missile, but No.10 is refusing to confirm that it veered off course. | |
| Instead, the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman insisted the operation had been “successful” – because both the submarine and the crew were able to return to service. | Instead, the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman insisted the operation had been “successful” – because both the submarine and the crew were able to return to service. |
| Her spokeswoman described repeated questions about allegations that the unarmed missile went astray as “minutiae and specifics”. | |
| The admission that Ms May was informed about the results of last June’s test comes 24 hours after she refused – four times – to say if she had been aware of it. | |
| She has been accused of covering up the test, which came just weeks before MPs backed the £40bn renewal of Trident by 472 votes to 117. | |
| Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, immediately tweeted: “Absolutely no excuse now for Theresa May dodging Parliament on this. She must come in today, answer questions and apologise.” | |
| According to the Sunday Times, the 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. | |
| But, in a briefing for journalists, Ms May’s official spokeswoman said she – after becoming Prime Minister - had been briefed that the operation was “successful”. | |
| It was a “demonstration and shakedown” operation undertaken by HMS Vengeance following a refit and both submarine and crew had been “certified” to return to service. | |
| Asked if the Prime Minister was told the missile had veered off course, she replied: "I don't accept the premise of the question." | |
| This article will be updated shortly | This article will be updated shortly |