SNP confirms it would still scrap Trident following heightened Russia tensions

The Scottish National Party says it will not scrap its plans to axe Trident as tension with Russia spiral following its invasion of Ukraine.

Quizzed by the PA over whether recent events had prompted a shift in party policy, Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader in Westminster explained: “No. Absolutely not at all, because there is a threat to the world from nuclear weapons.

“The idea that having nuclear weapons provides a deterrence that removes that threat is far-fetched, to say the least.”

Blackford also rejected defence secretary Ben Wallace’s “wrong assumptions” that an independent Scotland would be more militarily vulnerable.

“The SNP Scottish government is very clear that an independent Scotland, amongst other things, would seek to be a member of Nato,” he went on.

“We would be alongside our friends or partners in the Western world, and we would want to make sure that we’re taking our responsibilities for defence and security just as any other independent country does.”