The UK must build its own nuclear missiles, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said.
In his speech this lunchtime to the party’s Spring Conference in York, the party leader said: "Britain’s nuclear deterrent must be genuinely, verifiably ours – not dependent on Trump or whoever his successor may be.
"[Donald] Trump has proven we can’t rely on America as a dependable ally."
Sir Ed Davey yesterday told GB News’ Chief Political Correspondent in an exclusive interview that Donald Trump is "out of control" and derided him as the "appalling man in the White House".
Our Trident missiles are made in America and dependent on US maintenance, though the nuclear warheads within Trident are made here in the UK.
Though in theory the UK has operational independence over their use, in reality, Britain is inextricably tied up with America.
The UK was the third country in the world to develop the nuclear bomb, after the US and Russia.
France has a fully independent nuclear programme.
The UK must build its own nuclear missiles, according to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey
|GB NEWS
On Sunday, Sir Ed Davey argued: "As the UK now prepares to replace Trident in the 2040s, we should make the decision now to spend the billions required over the next two decades here in the UK, not in the US.
"Britain has the best scientists, the best engineers, the best builders in the world.
"So let’s get building our own, truly independent nuclear deterrent here in the UK. Made in Britain."
The Liberal Democrats suggest work in two phases. In the short term, developing a British capability to maintain existing Trident missiles domestically, ending reliance on American facilities; and in the longer term, manufacturing a fully British-made replacement when current missiles reach the end of their lives in the 2040s.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Lib Dem leader spoke to GB News's Katherine Forster
|GB NEWS
The Liberal Democrats have traditionally been divided over the UK having nuclear weapons.
They have not provided an estimate of the cost, which would be massively more than the current planned replacement for Trident.
The Ministry of Defence said: "Our independent nuclear deterrent protects us every minute of every day and is the ultimate guarantee of our national security.
"As the 2025 Strategic Defence Review made clear, a modernised nuclear deterrent will remain the cornerstone of the UK’s defence, and our commitment to Nato and global security".