A SERIOUS nuclear incident took place at Scotland’s Faslane naval base earlier this year.
Figures show there was a Category A event at HMNB Clyde on Gare Loch in the period between January 1 and April 22.
John KirkbyA serious nuclear incident took place at Scotland’s Faslane naval base earlier this year[/caption]
GettyFaslane is home to all of the Royal Navy’s submarines including Vanguard class armed with Trident missiles[/caption]
It is the second serious incident in the space of two years, with another recorded back in 2023, The Herald reports.
Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) are graded from Category A, the most serious, through to D.
The Ministry of Defence defines a Category A incident as an “actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment”.
Faslane is home to all of the Royal Navy’s submarines including the Vanguard class armed with Trident missiles.
Its fleet also includes nuclear-powered Astute class attack vessels.
Incidents, inspections and regulatory activities at the naval base are recorded by the MoD.
And figures released show there was a Category A incident at the Scots base.
However, it is unknown whether radiation was leaked into the environment or if there was a high risk of that happening.
It is the second serious incident in the space of two years.
There had not been a Category A incident at Faslane since 2008.
It comes after it was revealed that radioactive water was released from the Royal Navy nuclear weapons base in Coulport into Loch Long.
The material was released into the loch after the Navy failed to maintain a network of 1,500 water pipes.
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP told The Herald: “Nuclear weapons are an ever-present danger and this new information is deeply worrying.
“With repeated reports of serious incidents at Faslane and now confirmed radioactive contamination in Loch Long, it’s clear there is a direct threat to our environment, our communities, and our safety.
“Worse still, the Labour government is refusing to provide any details about the Category A incident, or the full extent of the contamination, including who could potentially be affected.
“While Westminster ploughs billions of public money into weapons of mass destruction, the SNP is focused on building a better Scotland.
“But only with independence, can we scrap Trident, clean up the mess it has left behind, and ensure this kind of reckless nuclear policy is never forced on Scotland again.”
The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
PAFigures show there was a Category A event at HMNB Clyde on Gare Loch in the period between January 1 and April 22[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
