LIBDEMS BEING PLAYED FOR FOOLS OVER TRIDENT RENEWAL

For Immediate Release: Wednesday 23 February 2011




Attn: NEWSDESKS


POLITICAL / DEFENCE CORRESPONDENTS



TRIDENT REPLACEMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE AGAINST TORY-LED CUTS


The LibDems are being ‘played for fools’ by the Tories over the renewal of Trident the SNP said today (Wednesday) after the Defence Secretary ruled out any cut in the nuclear submarine fleet.


In an interview for a BBC Scotland documentary, Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the UK Government must retain its entire Trident missile submarine fleet - casting new doubt on LibDem claims that replacement would be delayed as one step towards abolition.



SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP – who also contributed to the documentary – rounded on the Defence Secretary for pre-empting a decision on the future of the fleet while devastating cuts are being made to conventional forces.



Mr Robertson said:



“The LibDems are either being played for fools by the Tories or they are treating the public like fools over the future of Trident.



“Who do we believe? The LibDems or Liam Fox, because both their positions cannot be true. This is too important an issue to be left to partisan spin and behind the scenes briefing.


“The Trident weapons system is unjustifiable. We can never use it.


It's immoral, it's illegal, and frankly, we should be spending our money on more important things.


“The UK Government must be made to think again about Trident renewal while devastating cuts are being made.


“The SNP has a clear position on this issue. We believe Trident and its replacement are not only morally wrong but in the current financial crisis have been shown to be economic madness.



“People in Scotland believe billions in public money should be spent on avoiding cuts - not wasted on weapons of mass destruction like Trident, such as the Tories and LibDems – and even Labour - want?”



ENDS