On 17th May the Sunday Herald (Scotland) ran an exclusive based on an authorised ‘report’ written by a junior submariner in which he claimed “Trident is an accident waiting to happen” and the story has since been picked up by media around the world. You can read the original piece in all its rambling glory here.
ET McNeilly, is a very junior rate who served for less than 2 years in the RN and has completed a single deterrent patrol, hardly in a position to pass credible judgement on submarine operations. Many of his claims are wildly inaccurate (eg. 65 metre diving depth for Vanguards) and much of it based on overheard conversations and gossip. The implication that a terrorist or even incompetent crewmen could actually launch a Trident missile with its multiple fail-safes is ludicrous.
His claim to be acting selflessly for national interest comes at a time of particular political sensitivity over Trident which must raise suspicion over his motives. He appears to have been on the hunt for problems from day one of joining up – not the behaviour of an average sailor. Did he join up with a political agenda perhaps encouraged or sponsored by one of the many nuclear disarmament groups? As McNeilly proves himself, there is room for further improvement in screening of personnel joining the naval service.
If at all credible, his ‘report’ suggests sometimes Standard Operating Procedures are ignored (something that happens at times for good reasons and in many other contexts). All vessels suffer major defects from time to time (even fully operational active vessels) but material state of at least two of the Vanguard class boats does not appear to be ideal. The decision to extend their lives and delay the successors can only exacerbate this. It is also an unavoidable fact that the shortage of experienced manpower, mostly fault of government cuts and mis-management, inevitably will impact on standards.
This half-baked story and accompanying media storm will inevitably damage the case for Trident & RN’s reputation, whatever the truth. The limited and terse official response could be better and may only fuel the fire with a credulous media lapping up any suggestion of cover ups. Unfortunately the security issues and technical complexity of the subject makes it very hard for officials to refute the allegations it detail.
The response from ex-submariners and those who have worked on the Trident program (and no longer have any official responsibilities or axe to grind) all say the allegations are mostly laughable and that McNeilly is just naive and deluded. Despite his promise to hand himself in, McNeilly was apprehended by MoD police at Edinburgh Airport on 19th May.
“Factually incorrect, anecdotal and frankly sensationalism. This isn’t whistleblowing.” Cdr Ryan Ramsey, RN retired, former “Teacher”, Submarine Command Course.
“I’ve spent 4 days dived in HMS Victorious. Trident is absolutely not an accident waiting to happen” Ali Kefford, Independent journalist
It should be noted that the RN has safely maintained the UK’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent since 1968. Submariners work in an inherently hostile and dangerous environment and although they have been several close calls, the RN has not lost a submarine at sea since 1951.
The RN has promised an investigation and we must never tolerate any shortcuts or economies in the security and maintenance of the deterrent. Frontline security at Faslane Naval Base remains exceptional and despite the best efforts of the media, SNP and CND, no one should be losing sleep over the security and viability of UK nuclear weapons.
Related articles
- William McNeilly ‘spent a year planning for Trident dossier’ (Daily Telegraph)
- Official response to the story (MoD Media Blog)
- William McNeilly in military custody (The Guardian)
- Trident whistleblower needs to be listened to, even if he is exaggerating (Guardian)
I agree with almost everything you have said, however, you can’t say that with 2 years in RN he is not credible, then quote a journalist with no expert knowledge and 4 days on board saying there are no issues.
In everything else, you make perfect sense.
McNeilly claims in his ‘report’ that the boats “put on a show” for visitors. Ali was given free run of the boat and if there were constant break downs and failures would have certainly noticed something. She is also specialist reporter on submarines so has an above average understanding of what she was witnesssing. You are however right to make the general point that a civilian spending 4 days on board cannot make a very credible overall judgement about the operation of the submarine – only experienced submariners opinions really count.
I would like to comment on John’s comment above to the top one of those two years in the Royal Navy Mr McNeil would have been in training and would have not seen all these so called issues!
As an ex-submariner (marine engineer, Polaris), I have read the young lad’s ‘report’ and can confidently say that his ‘report’ is inaccurate and my best guess is that he is either deluded or is being encouraged by other parties who have a clear motive.
When he says moved between countries, probably went to wales.
I really fear for “Jason Bourne’s” mental state. This guy has highlighted nothing out of the ordinary. Accept the toilet roll fire, now that was a close call. And as for the gym, he better not get that removed from boats or I will not be happy! There’s no other f***ing place to put it!!!!
From what I understand McNeilly has spent approximately 8 months in the Submarine Service with a year+ undergoing basic and general engineering training at HMS Raleigh and HMS Collingwood. What does worry me is the fact this man seems to be ignorant to the fact that the worse thing that could happen to him is for him to be freed or discharged from the Navy sometime soon. He is likely to serve a very short sentence for highlighting the amount of safety and security planning detailed in this secret book possibly undermining CND’s case that where Trident is concerned there are few safeguards, this document seems to scotch that line.
His impending freedom into society will see him pursued by foreign powers interested i what he may know. This may all sound a bit cloak and dagger but McNeilly is unlikely to be aware of what happens when he is discharged from th RN, a service he volunteered to join and serve. Good luck William, you’ll need it.
Having spent 7 years serving in a Polaris boat in the 1970s I would like to point out that a metal tube operating underwater, filled with electrical and hydraulic equipment, running on a nuclear power plant crammed packed with high explosive and nuclear warheads. Certainly would be an accident waiting to happen in the wrong hands. Thank God therefor for the highly trained and dedicated submariners who make sure these black peacekeepers are a safe as possible. This idiot has let down the whole submarine community with his Micky Mouse story. But hey ” Why let the truth spoil a good story”
As a former member of the Submarine Service and served on the 1st and 2nd commission of the first Polaris Submarine I can only agree that this person had neither the experience nor intelligence to make any comments about the Service which would be intelligible to members and certainly ex-members who served in either Nuclear or Diesel Boats . I am however concerned about the vetting of future Submariners if he is an example . Of course we had occasional ‘adventures’ , that’s why most of us served and in most cases enjoyed our life at sea . Many of us ‘OAPs’ still get together and reminisce about our times on a regular basis , all ranks and rates and have a deep respect for each other . My final word about this Part 3 trainee would be an oft used phrase , ” If you cannot take it , you should not have joined ! “.
McNeill clearly demonstrates that a little knowledge is dangerous. His whole debilitating missive is based on hearsay and tittletattle with very little substantive fact. I completed 15 PoLaris patrols through the 60s to the 80s, yes there were excursions on a large number of systems including the primary one. But, and this is where the truth of highly trained Submariners comes into the equation, each and everyone of the excursions was dealt with by means of SOPs, technical ability and good old submarine nouse. We all returned home safely and maintained the nuclear deterrent safely. I have no doubt that the deterrent is in equally safe and capable hands today as it was in yesteryear.
Having served on Polaris submarines in the eighties through to the nineties as an engineer I can categorically state that the only time it became tense was during a particularly long patrol, we where told that 4 o’clockers was only going to issued every other day man we submariners like our routine nearly caused a mutiny. What this person has done has been pathetic hearsay rumours, an over blown ego let’s hope he gets his just deserts and lives to regret his actions
As a former Submariner of 19 years I witnessed many incidents and near misses which should have been investigated. But the trend then was what happens onboard stays onboard.
In his “exposé” McNeilly claims that the MOD tried to cover up the collision between Vanguard and Triomphant on 4 February 2009. However news reports from 16 February detailing the entire event state: “It is MoD policy not to comment on submarine operational matters.” That doesn’t sound like much of a cover-up.
As an ex Royal Marine bandy based in Portsmouth I can back his claim to piss poor security on the gates to Nelson. in the nearly 4 years I was there we had at least 3 occasions with civilians being on base who used credit cards to get on and one of our own guys help another. As for the Subs claims- well????? It’s open to interpretation
His dit was a poorly written set of lies and half truths. He has breached the trust of the RN and his colleagues and should serve a jail sentence for his crimes. There is a correct way to report failings and the press isn’t it.
After spending nearly 15 years in the RN on Swiftsure and Vanguard class submarines as an Artificer and now living out of the RN overseas I can safely say this lad has no idea what he is taking about I never once felt the RN risked health and safety of the crew. This lad has now ruined his career and future jobs, who would employ someone that runs to the papers everytime he thinks something is not right when he is not in the position to comment.
Pity Treason is not on the books still.. Everything has hick ups.. everything mechanical needs to be constantly maintained.. The Senior Service has a long and proud history. Its a pity this in experienced mariner did not learn to keep quiet, follow orders and learn.
Quite a few papers quoted him as an “officer. ” Never as long as his arse points downward! 24 years in the RN but no subs: however, I can testify that security at Faslane was always good.
As a wife of an ex diesel submariner this young man is in need of help. All submarines go through intensive testing as well as the men. He obviously has not got the metal to be a submariner. As quoted many times. Submariners are a rare breed. Cometh the man cometh the submariner
Having spent 20 years as a Submariner on Polaris and Nuclear Attack Submarines, of course there were occassions when things didn’t go right, such as fires, bursts and sometimes floods. I appear to be here to tell the tale. WHY? Because submariners take pride in being highly trained and proficient at their job. Why does that eejit think in peacetime submarines take 30 percent more crew. To train them up so they will understand what is going on around them. On a war footing the submarine would only take the required crews, as was the case with the Falklands. Why does the Navy spend a fortune on training Articifers (or whatever they’re called now)? Surprise, surprise to fix equipment that might become defective, like distillers, motor generators and electronic equipment, it is unfortunate that sometimes the resource isn’t available at sea and must wait until alongside for, What is it? A maintenance period. The unfortunate result of this fellas “Report” is that those people who do not understand these vessels will think its dangerous. One assumes that since this man has admitted photographing a CB, whatever its classification, he will be charged with espionage
What a load of crap this pillock has spewed by his report, looks like Walter Mitty has risen again. Who is behind his actions as he has not got the experience and knowledge to understand the full operation of the boat? I wonder it’s it political or is it that he is incompetent and cannot do his job. Whatever if the job was that bad and “dangerous” why do so many brave young men do it. Happy Days.
these discussion about the submarine service is all well and, but why are we in this position, where we have 19 yes 19 submarines laid up at devonport and rosyth including the still in service trafalgar class x3?the whole swiftsure class a few of whom were tomahawk enabled and still WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE, I HONESTLY DESPAIR OF THE WHOLE R.N. SITUATION. WE HAVE THE ARGUS WITH ITS 100 BED MEDICAL FACILITY DUE FOR DECOMISIONING, WHILE THE DEBATE OF HAVING A HOSPITAL SHIP BUILT. FFFS just paint it white. and keep it going. illustrious for ocean? its a no brainer .maybe even drag bristol into dry dock, rebuild her from the inside out to type 45 standard, get lancaster back to sea pronto arm bulwark and albion properly, bin the f35b and buy back the 72 harriers sold to the u.s for just£180 million