A Liberal Democrat leader urges the British government to deny US access to UK bases for launching a Ballistic Missile Defense program.

"It is time for Britain to wake up to the damaging geo-strategic effects of unilateral Missile Defence and pull out of our deal with America," said Nick Clegg, the party's prospective new leader.

In a letter to a Daily newspaper Clegg said the latest escalation of rhetoric from Russia makes it clear that the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System is having a profoundly destabilising impact on international relations and arms control, and risks creating a 21st-century 'arms race'.

"Britain is not the 51st state. We must act in our own national interests, not just accede to the demands of the Pentagon," he added. Clegg, who is currently the Liberal Democrat's shadow home secretary, may replace Sir Menzies Campbell as the party's new leader in December.