11.03.2007
At the start of the week that sees a vote on Trident replacement (14 March), Juliet McBride from Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp was arrested after spending over two hours on a high security fence surrounding the new Orion laser at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston.
Juliet was subsequently held for more than 10 hours and charged with Criminal Trespass under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. The Attorney General must now decide whether to proceed with a prosecution.
Her action was taken just before parliament prepares to vote on the government motion on Trident Replacement: “That this house supports the government’s decision as set out in the white paper The Future of the United Kingdoms Nuclear Deterrent (CM6994) to take the steps necessary to maintain the UK minimum strategic nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the existing system and to take further steps towards meeting the UK’s disarmament responsibilities under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
While the White Paper outlined its belief in the need for iminent decisions on replacing the submarine fleet and missile bodies, the government claims that decisions on future nuclear warheads will not be required until the next parliament. However, work is already well under way on the new Orion laser — before any decision is made in parliament, at an estimated cost of over £180 million (see building work in pictures). Orion will be able to replicate the conditions of a nuclear explosion, can only be needed and intended to design new nuclear warheads.
For more info contact 07887 802879.
A range of groups are organising events to say “no” to Trident replacement on 14 March. See http://tridentvoteday.org.uk
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