Shapps: We're confident in Trident even after test fail

THE Government retains "absolute confidence" in the UK's nuclear deterrent despite reports of a Trident missile test failure, the Defence Secretary has said.

Grant Shapps said the "anomaly" occurred during an exercise involving the ballistic missile submarine HMS Vanguard, but confirmed it had "no implications" for the UK's ability to deploy nuclear weapons.

In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Shapps said: "On January 30, 2024, HMS Vanguard and her crew conducted their most recent test operation.

"The test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent, in which the Government has absolute confidence. The submarine and crew were successfully certified and will rejoin the operational cycle as planned.