The Prime Minister, appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, refused to explain if she knew about the unsuccessful test of Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent, which took place weeks before a crucial Commons vote on the future of the submarine-launched missile system.
Downing Street have been accused of covering up the failed test which saw the launch of an unarmed Trident II D5 missile from a British submarine off the coast of Florida in June.
The missile is said to have malfunctioned and was never revealed to MPs, who were set to vote on the system’s £40billion renewal.
The BBC host challenged Mrs May four times about the tests, while she failed to answer the direct questions on her knowledge of it.
LBC•BBC
Nigel Farage's LBC guests slammed the BBC over the Trident cover-up questions levelled at the PM
The BBC are absolutely wrong to press the Prime Minister on a matter of state security
LBC caller, Neil
Discussing the subject on Mrs Farage’s LBC show, one caller suggested that the BBC had been “absolutely wrong” in allowing Marr to challenge Mrs May over fears that state secret revelations could aid the enemy.
The caller, known only as Neil, said: “The BBC are absolutely wrong to press the Prime Minister on a matter of state security – and I must be very honest, I feel very passionate about it.”
He previously claimed that Britain’s nuclear deterrent meant that “rogue regimes like North Korea and Iran” cannot threaten the country, also branding SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon “delusional” for her response to the situation.
Another guest, known only as Martin, from Barnet, echoed the views of Neil, claiming that such information is “not in the public’s interest”.
BBC
Mrs May refused to directly answer questions on the failed test
“What the public doesn’t know, keeps them happy,” said the caller.
“For a reporter to push the Prime Minister, who is the head of Government, in the way he did it’s nothing… he shouldn’t be doing it.
“He’s just trying to get ratings and its not his place to do that.”
The former Ukip leader, however, defended Marr, claiming journalists should be allowed to ask questions, but then sympathised with his guest about revealing sensitive state secrets.
“Well a journalist is allow to ask the question, clearly, I wouldn’t criticise him for that,” Mr Farage replied.
“Perhaps, Mrs May could have handled it differently. Martin, I am, basically, with you on this.
“I think there are issues of national security that you don’t advertise – it wouldn’t be in our interest to do so.
“What if, for example, the Government knew finances were significantly worse than we’d recently been told.
“You could make an argument, well, if we advertise that it might stop foreign and direct investment coming in to Britain – would it be reasonable of a government to not tell us a truth about the economy?”
Defence Secretary visits UK nuclear submarine
Fri, January 22, 2016
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visits HMS Vigilant, one of the UK's four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines at Royal Navy’s Faslane nuclear base on the Clyde.
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Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visits HMS Vigilant at HM Naval Base Clyde, also known as Faslane in Scotland
His caller replied adding that it was an entirely different matter, urging the Prime Minister to keep the door shut on Trident’s secrets so the country can “sleep easy”.
Express.co.uk have contacted the BBC for further comment.
The Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, having been hauled to the House of Commons this afternoon amid allegations of a Government cover-up, told MPs that they won’t “comment on the detail of submarine operations”.
He added: “The capability and effectiveness of the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent is not in doubt.”
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