Trident- by the back door?
Symon Hill reports on nuclear concerns
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed plans to order parts for the new Trident nuclear weapons system before a formal decision has been made to buy it.
A decision on renewing Trident has been delayed until 2016. The MoD, however, has admitted that they expect to order nuclear reactors for three Trident submarines, along with other parts, before that date.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) accused the government of attempting ‘Trident replacement through the back door’ and of bypassing democratic processes. CND fear that Parliament in 2016 could feel pressured to approve a weapons system which has already been partially bought.
The prime minister, David Cameron, has promised greater transparency over government contracts. He said he intends to make public all new contracts worth more than £10,000.
But campaigners have been quick to point out that news of the MoD’s plans came to light only in response to a question submitted by Greenpeace under the Freedom of Information Act. CND predict that the reactors alone could cost £1 billion.
