Overview
- Defence minister Luke Pollard told Scottish journalists that the UK’s nuclear deterrent is what he says Vladimir Putin fears most and that losing it would make Britain less secure.
- He argued the SNP stance would risk thousands of defence jobs and curb opportunities at the Clyde submarine base and at Rosyth shipyards.
- The SNP condemned the remarks as unbelievably crass, with defence spokesperson Dave Doogan demanding an apology and arguing resources should prioritise conventional forces.
- A recent Scottish Government paper proposes enshrining nuclear removal in an interim constitution, alongside a policy shift to allow tightly conditioned public investment in munitions.
- Separately, UK ministers announced a £177 million export deal under which Leonardo in Edinburgh will supply radar systems for Thailand’s Gripen jets.