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UK might make nuclear base in Scotland a ‘sovereign United Kingdom territory”

Trident nuclear base on banks of the Clyde ‘could be designated as UK territory’ if Scotland votes for independence

• Idea floated as a contingency if Scotland breaks away from the UK
• But Number 10 says it is not ‘credible or sensible’
• SNP accused Westminster of trying to bully Scotland

By MATT CHORLEY, MAILONLINE POLITICAL EDITOR, 11 July 2013 The nuclear deterrent base in Scotland would be designated as sovereign United Kingdom territory under plans drawn up by the Ministry of Defence.

The move comes amid warnings of the ‘enormous’ costs of trying to relocate the Trident missile system away from Faslane if Scotland breaks away from the rest of the UK.

But David Cameron today moved to quash the idea, warning it was not a ‘credible or sensible’. The future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent has become a key area of dispute in the run up to the referendum on Scottish independence next year.

The submarines and missiles are housed at a naval base on the Clyde but the SNP wants rid of the system.

Officials in Whitehall have been looking at alternatives to ensure Britain can maintain its at sea deterrent.

Under the plan to reclassify Faslane, the base would be given the same status as the British sovereign military bases in Cyprus, the Guardian reported.

A defence source said: ‘It would cost a huge amount of money, running into tens of billions of pounds, to decommission Faslane.

‘Those costs would be factored into any negotiations on an independence settlement. The sovereign base area is an option. It is an interesting idea because the costs of moving out of Faslane are eye-wateringly high.’

The government has always officially insisted it is not working on alternative options for siting Trident because it expects Scots to vote to stay in the UK……..

Scottish National Party defence spokesman Angus Robertson described the sovereign territory idea as ‘an extraordinary attempt by Westminster to bully Scotland’.

Mr Robertson added: ‘Neither the people nor Parliament of Scotland want nuclear weapons dumped here, and we are clear that Trident would have to be removed as quickly as possible – only a Yes vote next September will empower Scotland to get rid of Trident, and the money saved will help build a fairer society and stronger economy.

‘A key argument for independence is that Scotland will no longer have to pay for nuclear weapons that we do not want. A No vote, by contrast, means a new generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde for another 50 years.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2360133/Trident-nuclear-base-banks-Clyde-designated-UK-territory-Scotland-votes-independence.html#ixzz2Ys3SvV1y

July 12, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK, weapons and war