Reading the nukes on Radio 4

WILL the world end if the BBC’s Today programme goes off air? People linked to the Radio 4 show — now in its 60th year — think so. Historian Lord Hennessy asserts that secret orders to nuclear submarine captains to launch a strike are to be acted on only if a submarine cannot tune in to Today for a certain period — as it would show Britain had been hit by a nuclear attack. Former Today producer Tim Luckhurst says: ‘BBC Radio 4 long wave travels a long way, so if Today is off air, given the facilities to protect emergency broadcasting, it would be a sign that organised government has collapsed.’ Writing in Waitrose Weekend magazine, presenter John Humphrys agrees: ‘It’s true. I’ve asked Peter Hennessy, and he produced chapter and verse. They will know if the button must be pressed if Today doesn’t appear. One just has to hope the attack isn’t launched on a Sunday.’ Today is on air Monday to Saturday.