May would launch pre-emptive nuclear strike, says Fallon

Theresa May would be prepared to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the UK’s enemies, the defence secretary said as he branded Jeremy Corbyn a security risk.

Sir Michael Fallon attacked the Labour leader for calling into question Labour’s commitment to the Trident nuclear deterrent, and for suggesting he would be reluctant to authorise a drone strike on the leader of the Islamic State terror group.

The defence secretary said the Government could not rule out the use of nuclear weapons in a first strike in “extreme circumstances”.

Sir Michael used a series of broadcast interviews to criticise Mr Corbyn’s approach to defence policy.

On BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Corbyn, who has previously said he would never authorise the use of nuclear weapons, said he stood by his past views on the subject.

“I have made clear my views on nuclear weapons. I have made clear there would be no first use of it. I have made clear that any use of it would be a disaster for the whole world,” he said.

Sir Michael said the Government could not rule out ordering a nuclear first strike. He told the Today programme: “In the most extreme circumstances we have made it very clear that you can’t rule out the use of nuclear weapons as a first strike.”

Asked about Sir Michael’s comments on a pre-emptive strike, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said there was “no reason to disagree with what the defence secretary said”.

Sir Michael told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think you saw Jeremy Corbyn yesterday questioning strikes against terrorists, refusing to back the nuclear deterrent... That’s chaos, but it’s very dangerous chaos that would put the security of our country at risk.”

PA. Picture: Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the Government could not rule out ordering a nuclear first strike.