The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today welcomed the legal opinion from Matrix Chambers - that the Mutual Defence Agreement breaches the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - and called for a full parliamentary debate on the issue.

The MDA is at the heart of the ‘special relationship’, which in reality binds the UK to the priorities of US foreign policy. Crucially the MDA is key to UK nuclear subservience to the US, and without it, it is extremely unlikely that the UK could remain a nuclear weapons state.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said,

“The MDA highlights the nuclear hypocrisy of the government. The UK is breaking its commitment to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it is looking to develop new ‘usable’ nuclear weapons and to replace Britain’s nuclear weapons system Trident when its current service life runs out.

The MDA is central to all these developments and is to be extended for another decade this year, yet it is shrouded in secrecy. If the government has its way there will be no public debate on this issue.

If the British people are to trust the government again, there must be real accountability and transparency. We are therefore calling for a full parliamentary debate on this issue.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

1. For further information and comment please contact Ruth Tanner, CND’s Press & Communications Officer on 0207 700 2350 or 07968 420859

2. EDM calling for a debate on the MDA - http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=1407