MOD denies secret plans to move Trident from Faslane if Scotland becomes independent
Claims the submarines could move to the USA or France
The UK Government insists there are "no plans'' to move the country's Trident nuclear deterrent from the Clyde after reports of secret contingency plans for the submarines in the event of Scottish independence.
The four Vanguard class submarines are based at Faslane, with the missiles stored at nearby Coulport, but "senior officials'' have told the Financial Times that secret plans could see them moved to naval bases in the US or France if Scotland voted yes in a second referendum.
The newspaper also reported that the Ministry of Defence could keep them within an independent Scotland by buying a long-term lease on the two naval bases, creating a new British Overseas Territory. described as a "Nuclear Gibraltar'' within Scotland.
However, a spokesperson for the MoD denied there were any plans to move the submarines.
Strong commitment to Faslane
The spokesperson said: "The UK is strongly committed to maintaining its credible and independent nuclear deterrent at HM Naval Base Clyde, which exists to deter the most extreme threats to the UK and our Nato allies.
"There are no plans to move the nuclear deterrent, which contributes to Scotland's and the wider UK's security and economy, and its supporting facilities are safe for local communities.''
The Financial Times cited "several senior officials'' who had been briefed on plans for what would happen to the UK's nuclear deterrent if Scotland voted yes in a second independence referendum.
According to the newspaper, the preferred option would be to move the nuclear deterrent to the Royal Navy base at Devonport in Plymouth.
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SNP claims mandate for Indyref2
Nicola Sturgeon's SNP Scottish Government was re-elected in the polls in May's election, with the First Minister promising a second referendum on independence.
The SNP agreed a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party in August, which has put the Greens into government for the first time in the UK.
As a result of the deal, Ms Sturgeon has insisted she has an "undeniable'' mandate for indyref2, as the two parties together hold 72 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP has long opposed the UK's nuclear deterrent, and has previously called for Trident missiles not to be renewed.
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