Experts have warned that Tory plans to lift the current cap on Trident nuclear weapons based on the Clyde by over 40 per cent, from 180 to 260, could breach international law.
Academics at the London School of Economics have concluded that the plans are inconsistent with the UK Government’s support for the Treaty on Non-Proliferation, which is intended to limit the increase of nuclear warheads around the world.
The review by Professor Christine Chinkin, a long-time consultant for the UN, and Dr Louise Arimatsu, a former fellow at the NATO Cyber Defence Centre, concludes that the proposals constitute a breach of article six of the treaty.
Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald MP said
“The SNP has repeatedly warned that the Tories’ plans to spend billions of pounds on weapons of mass destruction while governments everywhere should be fully focused on the Covid-19 recovery is a disgrace.
“Not only is the decision to increase the nuclear weapons stockpile an obscene waste of money, it risks breaking international law and is completely at odds with the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
“For Boris Johnson to previously champion the idea of international rule-based systems before announcing in the same breath that his government plan to violate its commitments to the international treaty of non-proliferation is truly staggering.
“It is clear that the UK government has no intention of removing weapons of mass destruction from Scotland – and Westminster’s single-minded nuclear weapons obsession, and the amount of money wasted on it, highlights the democratic deficit we currently face.
“The only way to secure a strong, fair and peaceful recovery is for Scotland to become an independent country, with the full powers to introduce conventional defences – not nuclear weapons. Until then, the SNP will continue to strongly oppose the presence of nuclear weapons on our shores.
“The SNP Government will continue to use the limited powers of devolution to mitigate the ongoing damage being committed by this UK Tory government – but it is essential that once this crisis is over people in Scotland have the choice of a fairer future with independence.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
‘Boris Johnson plan for more nuclear warheads at Faslane ‘breaks international law’ – https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-plan-more-nuclear-24127623
SNP Westminster Press Office
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
UK will end up with 1 Nuclear warhead/0.26 million of its population
In comparison to the 1440 million Chinese who have 360 nuclear warheads
Which equates to 1 warhead /4 million of its population I.E. UK pro rata has 19 times more nuclear warheads the China
Question
Who is the aggressor
No prize for correct Answer
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Yes . . . But . . . . The Tories have saved up to pay for them via the implementation of their policy of Austerity, Bed Room tax Roothies Rape Clause.
If other countries had Rulers like our’s they would be able to afford em!
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Clydebuilt
With respect the Tories have not saved up for this as every penny will be borrowered
And not only for Trident renewal but also
For a new nuclear power station in order to create weapons grade nuclear material
Which has to be replaced approx.every 10 yrs.in order to ensure it goes bang
Read the terms of the lease of US Trident
Missiles which clearly states that the UK must build its own submarines and warheads
Furthermore it is NOT a independent weapon as the USA holds the release and target codes
All this is the delusional actions of a former great empire and power as it enters its death throes and now bankrupt
Without these weapons they would rapidly lose their permanent UN security
Council seat and veto
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Premieroneuk. Sarcasm . . . Humour. . . . But if the Austerity and misery inflicted wasn’t for Nukes . . . . Just what was the purpose of it all? . . . Making Tories content?
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Clydebulit
Correct but as i said no saving thru austerity
It was merely balancing out how much they could borrow for Trident renewal,
More warheads and new nuclear weapon grade material via new nuclear power stations
By reducing the borrowings reqd.to fund
Welfare,health and pensions.and putting such into the kitty for weapons of mass destruction
The evil of all this is that those who,s assets ( the super rich ) are protected by a nuclear umbrella received actual tax cuts in order to receive more protection of their ill gotten gains
So the saying More Bombs paid for by starving Bairns is indeed a most accurate
Statement of facts and reality
Those who create and enact such policies
Indeed are merely reserving their place in Hell,which awaits their arrival
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First thng we do on independence is blockade the base and invite the UN to take control and commence the dismantling process as per our UN obligations. We may also need to request UN protection to keep the British in check, stop them getting any thoughts above their station.
It’s the only language they understand.
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BBC Scotland not reporting that Tories are to stab Scottish hill-farmers in the back next with Oz deal
John, Reporting Scotland just now gave this less than a minute to this story no one on from farming to have their say,typical BBC RS.
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TORY IS NOW AN OUT AN OUT TORY MACHINE OF MISINFORMATION AND. BIASE REPORTING
WE MUST CLOSE THIS DOWN ON DAY OF INDEPENDENCE
RAT INFESTED TV COMPANY
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Re the trade deal, I looked at the website of The Scottish Farmer today to get its take on the story regarding the Aus and NZ trade talks. Found no mention. This is The Scottish Farmer- ‘supporting farmers in Scotland since 1893’!
On 19th April 2021, it published an article with this headline:
‘Cheap wine and meat will seal the Kiwi deal for UK consumers’.
However, today there was this from NFU Scotland: ‘. President Martin Kennedy said: “We share the concerns expressed regarding the Australia FTA negotiations. Scotland’s beef, dairy, sheep and grain sectors are particularly exposed should a deal be rushed through with Australia that fails to strike the right balance.
“While some additional market access and tariff liberalisation is expected in this post-Brexit era, all deals must be properly scrutinised and ratified to avoid any risks to the future viability of the farming sector.
“Rushing through a trade deal without the promised statutory Trade and Agriculture Commission in place prior to the deal being concluded also sets a damaging precedent for other trade deals.
“The public has shown unprecedented levels of support for the exceptionally high standards met by the nation’s farmers and it is inherent (sic) on the Government to meet its commitment of having a statutory body in place to independently assess and comment on proposed trade deals.
“UK consumers already enjoy some of the most affordable food in the world produced to the highest standards. Employment, the prosperity of rural areas and our high standards should not be jeopardised for the sake a headline-grabbing deal.”
NFU Scotland today joined with the UK Farming Roundtable of 19 farming bodies across a range of sectors and from all four nations of the UK to express serious concerns about these trade negotiations. Hopefully The Scottish Farmer will catch up with this news but what chance BBC Scotland? Fat chance!
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Scotland (apart from unionist thugs)
CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO SCOTLAND
THIS IS YET ANOTHER VITAL CHANGE IN IN THE TERMS OF AGREEMENT THE WAS SUPPOSEDLY “THE VOW”
So we must must TAKE OUR INDEPENDENCE
NOT WAITING FOR THE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DUMP. TONS OF NUCLEAR BOMBS
ONLY MILES FROM SCOTLAND SECOND BIGGEST CITY
TORIES (THATCHERISM) DO NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT SCOTS
THEY ARE ENDANGERING CITIZENS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND
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Okay “ The SNP Government will continue to use the limited powers of devolution to mitigate the ongoing damage being committed by this UK Tory government “
This is not enough
We voted SNP to have a Scottish independence referendum
Not just so we can be an independent country and build a better country over time
so so importantly because we do not want these nuclear weapons in Scotland anymore weapons of mass destruction , trident , nuclear deterrent , whatever you choose to call it they are evil weapons manufactured for the sole purpose of killing millions and laying waste a huge area of the planet
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More waste on Trident that should not happen in Scotland. Independence should get rid of these weapons of mass destruction. Never used.
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This is so well written and so wonderful. Thank you so much for this! I’m bookmarking this article 🙂
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