A Scottish MP has branded a Trident missile test failure "embarrassing and scandalous" after it misfired for the second time in a row.

A Trident missile involving HMS Vanguard misfired and crashed into the ocean off the coast of Florida during a rare test launch.

Martin Docherty-Hughes has said that the "expensive failure" should serve as a wake-up for the UK Government and its spending priorities.

We previously reported the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed an "anomaly" had occurred with during an exercise, but insisted that the nuclear deterrent - the cornerstone of the UK's defences - "remains safe, secure and effective".

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was among those on board the HMS Vanguard when the incident happened off the coast of the US on January 30.

READ MORE: Trident missile misfired and crashed into ocean after test launch

In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Grant Shapps said: “On January 30, 2024, HMS Vanguard and her crew conducted their most recent test operation.

“The test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, in which the government has absolute confidence. The submarine and crew were successfully certified and will rejoin the operational cycle as planned.

“On this occasion, an anomaly did occur, but it was event-specific and there are no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpiles.

"Nor are there any implications for our ability to fire our nuclear weapons, should the circumstances arise in which we need to do so.

“The Trident missile system remains the most reliable weapons system in the world, having successfully completed more than 190 tests.

“The Government has absolute confidence that the UK’s deterrent remains effective, dependable and formidable.”

He also reiterated the UK’s commitment to its nuclear deterrent, saying the UK’s “resolve and capability” to deploy nuclear weapons if necessary “remains beyond doubt”.

However, the failure led to a wave of ridicule from global news outlets, in particular, the Russian media.

"Nobody was hurt, apart from the Royal Navy's reputation," said Rossiya 1's main news bulletin on Wednesday.

The host of the top TV channel's 60 Minutes talk show, Olga Skabeyeva, said earlier in the day that "an attempt by the Royal Navy of formerly Great Britain - now we call it little Britain - to demonstrate its power ended in failure".

Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire SNP MP, said: "This was a seriously expensive failure and one that is symptomatic of the UK Government’s wider defence spending and strategy.

“The financial burden imposed by Trident renewal is enormous and is coming at a great cost to our conventional military capabilities and ability to focus money on other priorities like supporting households through a cost-of-living crisis.

“This is the second failed test in a row of weapons that are costing us tens of billions - an embarrassing and scandalous fact that should serve as a wake-up call to the UK Government.

"It speaks volumes of Westminster’s spending priorities that it is intent on increasing its collection of weapons of mass destruction - which will sit and gather dust unless the UK has plans to indiscriminately wipe out entire populations - rather than address the serious challenges in both our conventional capabilities and the inequalities in our society that have been further exposed by over a decade of Tory rule.”