Missile defence: Divisive issue

The government has insisted that no decision has yet been taken on whether the UK needs a complex missile defence mechanism similar to that under development in the US.

Speaking in the House of Lords, defence minister Lord Bach said ministers had not yet determined whether Britain needed an American style defence again ballistic missiles.

His comments came despite a government decision to upgrade the Fylingdales base ahead of a possible extension of missile defence.

"We have not yet decided whether we need our own missile defence," said Lord Bach.

"The US has offered to extend coverage and make missile defence capabilities available to the UK and other allies should we require them.

"But this is a decision for the future when the US system has further evolved and we have better information on costs and architecture.

"We can't be sure when a ballistic threat to the UK might emerge. We don't believe there is one at the present time."

The minister also moved to reject press claims that a commitment to the US had already been made.

Lord Bach denied that ministers had signed an agreement for the UK to host and extend a missile defence system on behalf of the US administration.

"I really very much regret the press campaign which is completely false," he said.

But Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer expressed her "deepest fears" that the government had given "further substantial commitments to the US".

And Lord Wallace went on to warn of a "right-wing agenda in the United States driving the deployment of missile defence".