Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been warned to prepare for the possibility that Donald Trump might end the UK-US Trident nuclear missile agreement.
These missiles, made in the US by Lockheed Martin, are jointly maintained by both countries, which makes it cheaper than if the UK handled everything alone.
A large part of Britain’s nuclear weapons are stored in the US, and the Trident missiles in use are sent across the Atlantic for regular maintenance.
Defense expert Nicholas Drummond said it’s “very unlikely” that Trump would end this partnership, but Britain should still prepare for a future where the US refuses to supply these missiles.
If that happens, it would be a “huge betrayal” that would hurt both Trump and the US, Drummond told The Telegraph.
He also explained that Britain depends on the US for missile parts and technical help. If that support is taken away, the UK’s nuclear defense would be weaker.
“A year ago, no one would have believed this could happen. But now, we need to be ready,” he added.
However, former Defence Committee Chair Tobias Ellwood urged people to stay calm.
“Whatever Trump decides, it won’t affect our current missile supply because he’ll be out of office before they need replacing,” he said.
Follow this page for live updates throughout the day.
Labour’s Industry Minister, Sarah Jones, refused to answer direct questions about reports that the US has stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
Speaking to Times Radio this morning, she said the UK must act as a “neutral negotiator” in ending the war in Ukraine. However, she added that commenting on every new development “would not be the right thing to do.”
She compared this approach to how the UK helped end the conflict in Northern Ireland, saying that staying neutral and sticking to principles was more effective than reacting to every new situation.
Jones confirmed that the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine and will continue working with the US, France, and other allies.
When asked if intelligence should always be shared with Ukraine, she said:
“We don’t comment on intelligence matters. But our position is clear—we support Ukraine, and that will not change.”
The UK’s Sentencing Council has been accused of creating “two-tier justice” after new guidelines suggested judges should give special consideration to offenders from ethnic or religious minority groups when deciding sentences.
According to the guidelines, judges should usually order a pre-sentence report for offenders from ethnic, cultural, or faith minority backgrounds before deciding whether to send them to jail.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick strongly criticized this, arguing it creates an unfair justice system.
