'Scotland will be a hostile nation' - Fears on how independence may impact UK security
BRITONS have flagged fears an independent Scotland could pose a threat to the UK's security, with one saying the country could become a "hostile nation".
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Express.co.uk readers voiced their concerns after reports held Boris Johnson could have to move the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system out of Scotland should it become an independent country. Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have repeatedly said they want Britain's nuclear submarines, based at Faslane outside Glasgow and all nuclear warhead storage based in Argyll, off Scottish soil if they win an independence vote.
The Sunday Times reported how Milford Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales could be a possible location to host Trident if the Prime Minister was forced to move Britain's nuclear weapons within three years of Scotland becoming an independent nation.
Reporting from Milford Haven, GB News’ Lily Hewitson said: “There is a natural harbour here which has been used as a port since the Middle Ages.
“But there is talk that perhaps in years to come this could be the home of the UK’s barrage of nuclear weapons.”
She added how the location of Milford Haven is desirable given its direct access to the Irish Sea, but stressed the decision is not set in stone and any move of the Trident programme from Faslane would depend on an agreement between Scotland and the UK.
If Scotland voted to become independent, any move would also involve the movement of the UK's nuclear warheads from Coulport in Argyll.
Express readers raised their concerns should Scottish independence force a move for Trident.
One said: “It won't just be trident. It will be all of the RN, RAF and British Army.
“All Scottish regiments will be disbanded, and no RN ships will be built on the Clyde...
“Scotland will be a hostile nation on the English border.”
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More readers suggested Ms Sturgeon should not be trusted with Britain’s military supply, and insisted Mr Johnson should start “moving it out of Scotland NOW”.
One said: “We don't need another Afghanistan mess up. SNP is not reliable, not just Sturgeon.”
Another added: “The number of direct and indirect jobs lost due to the relocation of Trident would amount to gross negligence by the SNP against the Scottish working class.
“That won't bother Sturgeon and her entourage though, unless of course, it cost them their independence.
“She's out to achieve her obsession at the expense of decimating the Scottish economy.
“If the Scottish electorate falls for it, then good luck with that and bye, bye.”
Other readers pointed out the potential costs to an independent Scotland should Britain move Trident out of the country.
One said: “and 40-50,000 scots would be unemployed near the base.”
Another added: “Well that would be silly. The cost would be huge! If we must move it?
“It must be in England because Wales could end up going independent too!
“The English people are fed up with the devolved assemblies complaining and then begging constantly.”
It comes as the upcoming SNP conference is set to debate where the Trident missile programme could be relocated if Scotland does vote ‘Yes’ to independence.
In 2014 the Government ruled out moving the location of its nuclear deterrent bases ahead of Scotland’s referendum, citing the large costs involved, and still outwardly holds to that line.
But the SNP continues to pledge that it would ban nuclear weapons on Scottish soil if it became independent.
Despite the desires of the SNP, a spokesman for the UK government said they were strongly committed to maintaining the £5 billion Trident nuclear programme as a deterrent against nuclear threats to the UK and NATO allies.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has estimated the cost of this to be at £205billion.