Trident missile misfired and crashed into ocean during rare test launch

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2024

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A Trident missile has misfired and crashed into the ocean off the coast of Florida during a rare test launch by a British nuclear submarine in an embarrassing blow for the Royal Navy.

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday night confirmed an “anomaly” had occurred with the drill involving HMS Vanguard, but a spokesperson insisted that the nuclear deterrent – the cornerstone of the UK‘s defences – “remains safe, secure and effective”.

The fault had something to do with it being a test-firing, with a source saying that the launch would have been successful had it been carried out for real with a nuclear warhead.

The Sun newspaper first revealed the drama, which happened on 30 January, saying that Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had been onboard the submerged submarine at the time.

It is the second Trident missile failure in a row for the Royal Navy‘s ageing nuclear weapons fleet after a problem with another test-firing in 2016.

The UK has four nuclear-armed submarines that are charged with ensuring one boat is continuously at sea to deter nuclear threats from enemies such as Russia and to be ready to respond should the worst happen and the UK or its allies face a nuclear attack.

Outlining what happened, The Sun said the Trident 2 missile was propelled successfully from under the water into the air by compressed gas in the launch tube.

But its first stage boosters did not ignite and the 60-tonne missile – fitted with dummy warheads – splashed into the Atlantic Ocean and sank.

A source told the newspaper: “It left the submarine but it just went plop, right next to them.”

A search was immediately initiated to recover the highly sensitive munition.

Indicating the gravity of the event, a written ministerial statement is due to be released to parliament at around midday on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak will also likely be asked about what happened when he faces Prime Minister’s Questions.

HMS Vanguard, which has just completed a £500m overhaul, was undergoing a final round of tests before it returns to nuclear patrols.

The Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, despite the glitch, the submarine and her crew “have been proven fully capable of operating the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent, passing all tests during a recent demonstration and shakedown operation (DASO) – a routine test to confirm that the submarine can return to service following deep maintenance work”.

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The spokesperson said: “The test has reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, in which we have absolute confidence.

“During the test an anomaly occurred.

“As a matter of national security, we cannot provide further information on this, however we are confident that the anomaly was event specific, and therefore there are no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpile.”

Ahead of the launch last month, the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency had issued a warning to shipping that plotted the missile’s expected course to an impact in the mid-Atlantic.

The “hazardous operations” warning said that the missile was expected to travel some 3,700 miles before crashing into the sea between Brazil and west Africa.

The failed launch came eight years after the Royal Navy last test-fired an unarmed Trident II D5 ballistic missile.

Back in 2016, the missile was launched from HMS Vengeance and flew in the wrong direction.

Defence sources told The Guardian at the time that it did not veer off in the wrong direction because it was faulty but because the information relayed to it was incorrect.

The Trident system has completed more than 190 successful tests during its time in service.

UK

Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to 'beautiful soul' as teen appears in court charged with murder

The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.

Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.

“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”

Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”

It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.

Aria was a ‘precious girl’

In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.

“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.

“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”

They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.

‘Wacky ways and outright madness’

Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.

He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.

Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.

“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.

“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”

Teenager in court

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.

He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.

Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.

UK

David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK.

A spokesperson for the company said that “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles” from Walliams.

“HarperCollins takes employee well-being extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns,” the spokesperson added.

“To respect the privacy of individuals, we do not comment on internal matters.”

The publisher announced in October that it had appointed Kate Elton as its new chief executive, following the departure of former boss Charlie Redmayne.

The 54-year-old, who shot to fame with the BBC sketch show Little Britain, is one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors.

He has written more than 40 books, which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and been translated into 55 languages, according to his website.

His first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, was published by HarperCollins in 2008.

Walliams is also known for Come Fly With Me, another BBC sketch show, and was formerly part of the judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent.

He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.

Walliams has been contacted for comment.

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UK

Teenager to face trial over murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe

Published

12 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.

During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.

The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.

His father was among those attending in the public gallery.

The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.