MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Recent revelations calling into question the UK Trident submarine nuclear deterrent program's safety and security have been largely brushed off by local media, WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said.
"If it is not a D-Notice, then certainly the British media is mostly ignoring these serious allegations. They have failed to investigate thoroughly a very detailed report by able seaman McNeilly," Hrafnsson told RT in Thursday's interview.
"It was downplayed in the usual way when you deal with whitsleblowers. He was said to be sort of a lower rank and not knowing what he was talking about," the WikiLeaks spokesman said.
A UK Defense Ministry investigation into McNeilly's claims concluded Thursday that Britain's submarine nuclear deterrent program did not violate any safety or operational effectiveness procedures.
Responding to Defense Secretary Michael Fallon's remarks, Hrafnsson expressed doubt that the population of Scotland, where the program is based, will be relieved.
"The reply by the government reeks of being a whitewash," he said.
Scotland's National Party, in turn, called for the Trident's removal. It emerged victorious in the May 7 national vote, gaining 56 of the 59 Scottish seats available in the House of Commons.
