Peer blames ‘spotty youths’ over Trident cover-up row
FORMER defence chief Admiral Lord West yesterday hit out at “spotty youths with no experience of the world” who he said had too much power over ministers.
The former First Sea Lord was giving evidence to MPs about the apparent decision not to reveal an alleged malfunction in a test last June of Britain’s Trident nuclear missile.
A military source yesterday reportedly said the silence was at the request of the US, possibly amid concern about wider problems with the American-made missiles.
Theresa May has said she knew of the test when she urged MPs to back the £40 billion renewal of the four submarines that carry Britain’s missiles.
Lord West told the Commons’ Defence Select Committee he could imagine an adviser deciding to keep a lid on the issue.
Attacking such ministerial aides, he said: “This irked me… where a spotty youth who had just come from university seemed to think they knew more about counter terrorism than I did.”
Stupid
Anyone who thought the problem, which he felt was just a “minor hiccough”, could stay secret was “very stupid and foolhardy”.
The row cast needless doubt over Britain’s nuclear deterrent as well as “embarrassing” the Prime Minister, he said. Defence expert and adviser Professor Michael Clarke told the committee that reports suggested a “fairly major failure” in the missile’s guidance system.
It was the only failure in 162 tests by American and British forces since 1989. But it may lead to demands for assurances that US missile-maker Lockheed Martin was not letting standards slip.
Tory committee chief Julian Lewis criticised the Government for “surreptitiousness” after revealing Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon refused to give evidence. He also said David Cameron’s spin doctor Sir Craig Oliver refused to appear on grounds he had left Number 10 to work for the Remain referendum campaign before the test took place.