Brown plays down French sub link-up

Experts from the world nuclear watchdog are to inspect security arrangements at Sellafield for the first time as part of a worldwide drive to stop the spread of fissile materials, Gordon Brown has announced.

The Prime Minister said that Britain is also launching a "centre of nuclear excellence" where the UK can "lead global efforts to secure the safe global expansion of civil nuclear power".

But he played down the prospect of Britain and France creating a joint nuclear deterrent by sharing submarine patrols.

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Defence co-operation has developed over the past decade, but both countries will keep independent nuclear deterrents, the PM told the Foreign Press Association in London.

The Guardian claims discussions had taken place with London on the possibility of sharing the hugely expensive burden of ensuring at least one nuclear-armed sub in on patrol at any one time.

France maintains a four-submarine nuclear force while a renewal of the UK Trident system could see the fleet cut from four to three.