Protesters block road at Faslane naval base

Protesters have reportedly formed a blockade at the south gate of HMNB Clyde, also known as Faslane.

The base is best known as the home of Britain’s nuclear weapons.

It is understood that protests were sparked by the media coverage of an issue during the testing of a Trident II D5 ballistic missile from HMS Vengeance last year.

Faslane Peace Camp is a permanent camp sited alongside Faslane and has been occupied continuously, in a few different locations, since June 1982.

According to local media, activist Roxy Newton said:

“It is baffling how the Conservatives are not being held to account over their blatant disregard for transparency and public interest.

“While there’s a conceivable argument surrounding national security, the fact that this information was held from elected representatives immediately prior to a crucial vote can’t be tolerated and certainly shouldn’t be ignored.”

Faslane was first constructed and used as a base in World War II. During the 1960s as the Government began negotiating the Polaris Sales Agreement with the United States, these were to be based at Faslane.

Faslane itself was chosen to host these vessels at the height of the Cold War because of its geographic position, which forms a bastion on the relatively secluded but deep and easily navigable Gare Loch and Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland. This position provides for rapid and stealthy access through the North Channel to the submarine patrolling areas in the North Atlantic.