Minister brushes aside plea for rethink on Trident

THE UK Government has rebuffed calls to draw up contingency plans for Trident in the light of a possible second Scottish independence referendum.

Defence Minister Philip Dunne also said the UK Government was “not anticipating” a re-run of the 2014 poll.

The Government has previously warned that moving the Clyde-based nuclear deterrent would cost billions of pounds.

Predictions for how long a transfer of the nuclear deterrent might take range from years to decades, while experts have suggested Trident could have to be “parked” in either the US or France for years while the UK builds a naval base suitable to house it south of the Border.

Conservative ministers have recently faced intense criticism over the lack of advanced planning ahead of Brexit.

They were accused of being asleep at the wheel after it emerged only the Bank of England had carried out detailed preparations.

Next week MPs will vote on whether or not to renew the ageing nuclear weapons system at a cost of billions of pounds.

But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said another independence vote is on the table following the shock Brexit decision.

Mr Dunne, Minister For Defence Procurement, said: “We are not anticipating there will be another (Scottish) referendum.”

“Defence is a responsibility of the UK Government.

“The UK Government includes Scotland for defence purposes. There is no plan at the moment for another (Scottish) referendum.”