Following today’s reports that France has secretly upgraded its nuclear weapon arsenal, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today strongly condemned this action as “irresponsible” and “provocative.” France, one of the EU-3 group negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme, has over 300 nuclear weapons.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “France’s secret decision to upgrade its nuclear weapon arsenal should be a lesson to us here in Britain. We do not want a similar secret decision sprung upon us here. Tony Blair must allow a full debate and Parliamentary vote on the replacement of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapon system.”

Of France’s decision to secretly upgrade its nuclear weapons arsenal, Ms Hudson said, “This is a dangerous, irresponsible, and provocative decision on the part of the French government. It clearly goes against their obligations to disarm under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and sends yet another message of nuclear double standards by the nuclear weapon states.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.