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The National
16-07-2025
- Business
- The National
£250m cash injection for nukes branded 'gimmick'
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray travelled north of the Border on Wednesday to visit HMNB Clyde at Faslane to unveil the investment alongside Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle. The UK Government said that the money would ensure the base – located less than 40 miles from Scotland's largest city – could store the next generation of nuclear submarines. But the Scottish Greens said Labour were throwing money 'into the bottomless pit of money that is the Trident nuclear weapon programme'. Ross Greer (below), who is running to become party co-leader, said: 'Pouring hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money into military gimmicks won't make us any safer. (Image: Gordon Terris) 'It will only take money away from the urgent work needed to lift children out of poverty and tackle the climate emergency. The only winners here are the arms companies who will make a fortune. 'The UK Government continues to use Scotland as a dumping ground for their weapons of mass slaughter. This new funding isn't going to reduce the risk of living near Faslane nor the totally unacceptable risk of transporting nuclear and explosive materials by road through Scotland's towns and cities.' READ MORE: Ian Murray to visit Faslane to announce £250m investment in nuclear base The West of Scotland MSP said there could 'never be justification for weapons which are only capable of indiscriminate mass killing', adding: 'The terrible legacy of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is all the warning we need from history in that regard. 'Our communities in the West of Scotland need sustainable, safe jobs and a decent safety net in the social security system. This money could have been used for that, but instead it will go straight to some of the world's biggest arms manufacturers.' He proposed turning Faslane into a 'conventional naval base, meeting our defensive needs on the west coast for a fraction of the cost of this nuclear arsenal'. The costs of maintaining Britain's nuclear arsenal are spiralling – and as the fleet ages, crew are forced to go on longer, riskier patrols. A report in 2023 found that costs had increased from the previous year by £38.2 billion, a hike of 62% from 2022. Murray defended the spend ahead of his visit, saying: 'It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the continuous at sea deterrent from a modern, efficient base which will result in a better environment for our hero submariners to live, work and train in.'
The Sun
13-07-2025
- The Sun
Royal Navy sailor arrested over bomb hoax on nuclear submarine which sparked fears of doomsday meltdown
A ROYAL Navy sailor has been arrested over a bomb hoax on a nuclear-armed submarine. His alleged threat, thought to have been a prank, sparked fears of a doomsday meltdown, sources said. The suspect, a Petty Officer on HMS Vanguard, was said to have called in the bomb warning to the submarine's main control room. It triggered lockdown at HMNB Clyde where Britain's nuclear deterrent vessels are based, with a bomb squad racing to the scene in Faslane. A source said: 'The suspect was working in the rear of the boat, in the engineering control room, and allegedly called up front to the main control room and claimed there was a bomb on board. 'It's not clear if he lost the plot or if it was a stupid prank that went horribly wrong. 'The person who took the call believed it was credible and triggered a full emergency response. 'They did a quick draw and the base piped orders to the Royal Marines to guard the jetty and the submarine hatches to make sure no one could come on or off.' The suspect was subsequently held. The Royal Navy said: 'We can confirm that a member of the Royal Navy is under investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command for a bomb hoax.' Royal Navy sailors are set to be housed on a barge like the Bibby Stockholm in a bid to save cash on hotels 1
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Royal Navy commander facing six months in jail for drunken assault on a comrade
A ROYAL Navy commander faces six months in jail and the sack after drunkenly battering a comrade at a nuclear missile base. Lieutenant Commander Gary Fletcher, who works HMNB Clyde in Faslane, was convicted of 'misconduct through alcohol or drugs' and battery. 1 A Royal Navy commander faces six months in jail and the sack after drunkenly battering a comrade Credit: PA It comes after A fourth sub commander is due to stand trial for over claims of a drug-fuelled sex assault on a junior. And the former Lt Cdr Fletcher served as a logistics officer at the doomsday submarine base home to the UK's nuclear deterrent. READ MORE ON NAVY He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday. It is the latest scandal to rock the silent service after Whistleblower Sophie Brook revealed comrades had made 'crush depth rape lists' of comrades they would assault of their submarine was doomed. Her captain punched her in the kidneys, licked her ear and blew on her neck, an investigation found. Most read in The Sun In a separate case, Lt Cdr John Cursiter, 46, was charged with possessing illegal drugs, sexual assault and false imprisonment. The former executive officer of HMS Vanguard, a doomsday missile sub, could face up to five years in prison. The UK has four Vanguard class submarines armed with doomsday nuclear missiles and one is always on patrol. It is known as the Continuous At Sea Deterrent and always ready to strike back in the event of nuclear war A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "The Royal Navy holds its personnel to the highest standards of conduct. Any allegations of unacceptable or criminal behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences. 'It would be inappropriate to provide further comment while legal proceedings are taking place'.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Royal Marine guarding nuclear weapons grilled by terror cops over alleged neo-Nazi links
Security sources said he was grilled over his extremist views and links to far-right groups 'NAZI' LINK Royal Marine guarding nuclear weapons grilled by terror cops over alleged neo-Nazi links Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A ROYAL Marine guarding nuclear weapons has been grilled by counter-terror police over alleged neo-Nazi links. Commando John Carr was interviewed last week when he flew to Scotland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 John Carr serves with 43 Commando, guarding the UK's Trident 2 missiles and nuclear submarines 3 Carr was interviewed last week over alleged neo-Nazi links Credit: YouTube He said it was 'political bullying' as he had campaigned against women joining the Marines, which he claimed lowered physical standards. But security sources said he was grilled over his extremist views and links to far-right groups. Carr serves with 43 Commando, guarding the UK's Trident 2 missiles and nuclear submarines at HMNB Clyde, Faslane, in Argyll and Bute. The Sun understands he is a member of the far-right Homeland Party — which splintered from a neo-Nazi party in 2023. Speaking on YouTube Carr said: 'I am a member of a political party. 'I don't think it's their business or anyone's business to know what that is, but know that it isn't the main political party. 'It isn't Labour.' Carr lost his security clearance and will work from home pending an investigation. Police Scotland declined to comment. 3 Carr serves at HMNB Clyde, Faslane, in Argyll and Bute Credit: Alamy
