Four lords and 23 MPs were invited to two briefings by senior MoD officials at the Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde in 2021.
According to the MoD, the aim was to “educate” them on the “continued relevance” of the Trident nuclear weapons system, and how replacing it was “value for money”.
According to experts, it is “highly unusual” for a government department to lobby politicians in this way.
Campaigners questioned whether it was an “appropriate” use of public money and accused the MoD of acting as an “influencer” for nuclear vested interests.
The MoD pointed out that briefings were part of a long-established armed forces parliamentary scheme for “better educating” MPs and lords in military matters. This included briefings on “nuclear deterrence”.
UK government ministers briefly mentioned the meetings with politicians in a report to an international review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in November 2021.
“We are implementing a programme of regular engagement with parliamentarians, designed to increase their understanding and awareness of the UK’s nuclear deterrence and disarmament policy,” the report said.