Sea-based nuclear deterrent expensive and 'insane' – ex-defence minister

Keeping a constant sea-bound nuclear deterrent is "complete insanity" that costs too much and is militarily illogical, a former defence minister has said.

Sir Nick Harvey, who was armed forces minister until September, said the UK had to properly consider other options before any decisions were taken about whether to replace the Royal Navy's four ageing Trident submarines.

Giving evidence to a research paper compiled by the Nuclear Education Trust, Harvey made the case for alternatives to "like for like" replacement vessels, insisting the government needed to accept the world had changed, and so had the UK's enemies.

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