I think DV is refering to QinetiQ which is a leading international defence and security company who said in 2006 they believe that the main cause of fuel leaks on Nimrods "was that the age of the airframe and the interlay sealant between the joints (from manufacture) and play on the fasteners between ribs/skin panels, combined with the aggressive tempo with which the RAF are flying the jets in stark temperature shifts.
I may be wrong but I think that is what DV is refering to.