Shapps told to face MPs after humiliating Trident nuclear missile misfire

It resulted in the missile crashing into the ocean just yards from the British nuclear submarine that launched it.

Shapps and First Sea Lord Sir Ben Kay were onboard HMS Vanguard during the botched test of the single unarmed Trident II missile.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed an “anomaly occured” during the January 30 exercise but stressed the nuclear deterrent remains “effective”.

“It left the submarine but it just went plop, right next to them,” a source also told The Sun.

However, it has been claimed that the firing would have been successful provided it had taken place on a real patrol mission rather than under test conditions.

An MoD spokesperson said: “HMS Vanguard 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 — a routine test to confirm that the submarine can return to service following deep maintenance work.

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“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.

“The UK’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.”

Despite maintaining confidence in the system, Shapps is facing growing calls to update MPs about the situation.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Reports of a Trident test failure are concerning.

“The Defence Secretary will want to reassure Parliament that this test has no impact on the effectiveness of the UK’s deterrent operations.”

Ministers are expected to update MPs in the Commons shortly.

Former First Sea Lord Alan West also stressed the “blood embarrassing” episode would not affect a real launch.

He told The Daily Mail: “We don’t need to go overboard, the system still works perfectly. It is bloody embarrassing, let's face it.

“Every single bit on the submarine worked perfectly, thank goodness.

“We have just had a seven-year refit which was ridiculously long.

“That is good news because it shows that these old submarines, when refitted can still do the business.

“The problem has not affected the operation capability of Trident at all, it is related totally to the test firing.”