The First Minister said he “completely and utterly” refuted the comments from Defence Secretary John Healey.
The SNP’s continued opposition to nuclear weapons is “jeopardising” the UK’s national security at a time of “rising threat”, the Defence Secretary said today.
John Healey repeated his criticism of the Scottish Government for failing to invest in defence jobs due to its previous ideological opposition to spending taxpayer’s cash on firms linked to “munitions”.
Speaking on a visit today to the Edinburgh base of Leonardo, a multinational aerospace contractor, the Labour MP said both Westminster and Holyrood “have a joint mission to make Scotland safer”.
It comes after Donald Trump last night said he would not use force to seize control of Greenland, easing a diplomatic row which threatened to end the Nato alliance.
But John Swinney hit back at Healey’s comments and branded communication from the UK Government with him on national security issues as “absolutely appalling”.
It comes after planes used by US special forces stopped for refuelling at the Scottish Government-owned Wick airport earlier this month.
The jets were being used as part of a joint UK-US operation to seize the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera.
Healey had blasted the Nationalists for their long-held opposition to the UK’s nuclear detterent being based on the Clyde at Faslane.
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He said: “I want the Scottish Government to be firm, strong, reliable partner for the UK Government. We have a joint mission to make Scotland safer, to make defence investments in Scotland.
“So we need a Scottish Government that is not weak on defence, and is willing to invest in skills, in defence, which the Scottish Nationalist government has not been prepared to do.
“I want to see a Scottish Government that doesn’t have a declared party policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament. Because in this era of rising threat, it strikes me that any government, any leader, that calls into question or jeopardises our deterrent, is jeopardising or calling into question the strength of our national security.
Asked if he was confident the US military would be allowed to continue to use Scottish Government facilities if needed, Healey said: “Yes. Because our defence and security partnership is a UK Government responsibility. And our relationship with the US on these matters is led by us, as a UK Government.”
Douglas Alexander, the Scottish Secretary, said: “The Scotland Act is very clear. Defence and foreign affairs are reserved matters. As a committed devolutionist, Scotland has two governments, with respective and discreet responsibilities.
“I personally offered John Swinney a briefing in relation to the use of Wick airport, that hasn’t been accepted. But these issues are far, far too important to be subject to party politics. We should be focused on the job in hand, which is keeping our country safe, and working closely with our allies.”
Speaking to reporters at the Scottish Parliament, Swinney said he “completely and utterly” refuted Healey’s comments.
The First Minister continued: “There are plenty of countries in the world who assure their national security without the use of nuclear weapons. And I think we should be one of those countries.
“I am very committed to ensuring that I take all necessary steps to contribute constructively to the national security of Scotland and the United Kingdom – but I could do with a bit more assistance from the UK Government in the process.
“Because the UK Government is incredibly difficult to engage on significant issues of national security. Such as when the MV Minerva tanker, where the flow of communications between the UK and Scottish Governments has been absolutely appalling.”
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