UK Minister Says Only Prime Minister Can Authorize Nuclear Weapons Use, Affirms Sovereign Control

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UK nuclear weapons control remains entirely with the prime minister, Defence Minister Luke Pollard told Parliament, even as London and Paris deepen nuclear cooperation under the 2025 Northwood Declaration, the government said in a written statement.

UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard responded to questions from an independent MP about the impact of the UK-France nuclear cooperation pact signed in July 2025. He stressed that closer coordination under the Northwood Declaration does not change the fundamental structure of UK nuclear decision making.

Pollard told lawmakers that the UK and France remain sovereign nuclear-weapon states with separate command and control systems, and that only the UK prime minister has authority to order use of British nuclear weapons.

UK Nuclear Authority and Bilateral Cooperation

Pollard’s statement responded to parliamentary questions raised by MP James McMurdock, who sought clarity on whether deeper cooperation under the Northwood Declaration affects UK decision rights. The minister said it does not, and that nuclear operations and authority remain independent for each state.

The Northwood Declaration, signed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025, aims to coordinate nuclear deterrence strategies between the two countries, principally as a stronger credible deterrent in Europe. Despite this, Pollard reiterated that the prime minister alone authorizes any use of UK nuclear weapons.

Sovereignty in Nuclear Decision Making

The UK’s nuclear decision model has historically placed sole launch authority with the prime minister. This includes the so-called letters of last resort, which are handwritten instructions to ballistic missile submarine commanders in the scenario that the government is incapacitated. The letters are sealed and destroyed unread if not used before a prime minister leaves office.

Pollard’s comments echo past Defence Ministry responses affirming that UK nuclear deterrent systems remain “operationally independent,” and that sole authority rests with the prime minister even if employed under NATO auspices.

Strategic Context and Implications

The UK maintains a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent through its submarine fleet and is progressing with the replacement Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines as part of its long-term deterrence posture. While the precise details of UK–France nuclear coordination have not been fully disclosed, London has been clear that bilateral efforts aim to enhance overall deterrence without transferring control over nuclear decision making.