MoD 'misleading public' over nuclear weapons

Saturday, 26 July 2008 12:01 AM

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of misleading the public over plans for a new generation of nuclear weapons.

Papers released under a freedom of information request reveal one of the MoD's top civil servants told senior industry figures the government had already decided to replace its nuclear munitions despite public assurances that no decision had been taken from defence secretary Des Browne.

In a speech to 200 "very senior representatives of industry," in June 2007 David Gould said: "This afternoon we are going to outline our plan to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent.

"The intention is to replace the entire Vanguard Class submarine system, including the warhead and missile."

Months later, in November, Lib Dem MP Nick Harvey asked the defence secretary in parliament "what meetings have taken place between UK and US officials on the research and development of new nuclear weapons, with particular reference to the reliable replacement warhead?"

In his response, Mr Browne suggested no decision has been taken.

Mr Browne said: "I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. member for Blaenau Gwent on 12 September 2007. This explained that there is no programme to develop a new UK nuclear warhead but referred to the work currently being undertaken to inform decisions, likely to be taken in the next parliament, on whether and how we may need to refurbish or replace our current warhead."

Mr Harvey said the contradictory statements indicated officials were making statements behind closed doors while ministers said something else entirely in public.

"At best, this is a confused message from an inconsistent government," he said.

"At worst, it is deliberately and irresponsibly misleading the public over an issue of grave importance.

"If Britain is to set an example to countries like Iran and to other non-nuclear weapon states, key decisions must be made openly and accountably in parliament, not at insider-only speeches."

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• foreign policy