Trident nuclear programme 'a disaster waiting to happen'

Security and safety concerns surounding the UK's nuclear deterrent are being investigated after a series of claims from a Royal Navy submariner.

Able Seaman William McNeilly criticised measures in place around the Trident submarine programme, describing it as a "disaster waiting to happen".

In an online post he said he is an Engineering Technician Submariner who was on patrol with HMS Victorious this year.

He claimed there are fire risks and leaks on board and that security checks are rarely carried out on personnel and contractors working on the submarines when they are docked at Faslane.

The Royal Navy confirmed Mr McNeilly is a member of the naval service and said it is "concerned for his whereabouts and wellbeing".

The Navy said many of the claims are "subjective and unsubstantiated personal views, made by a very junior sailor, with which the naval service completely disagrees".

Mr McNeilly said he raised concerns with senior officers but decided to publish his claims as they were ignored.

A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: "The Royal Navy takes security and nuclear safety extremely seriously and we are fully investigating both the issue of the unauthorised release of this document and its contents.

"The naval service operates its submarine fleet under the most stringent safety regime and submarines do not go to sea unless they are completely safe to do so."