A “serious nuclear incident” has happened at the HM Naval Base Clyde (HMNB), Scotland the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The nuclear incident is a “category A” which happened between 1 January and 22 April 2025 at Faslane, which is home to the Royal Navy’s Vanguard submarines which are armed with Trident missiles, including the nuclear-powered Astute class hunters.
Category A is the highest and most serious meaning it can be an “actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) conducted an investigation and they found that the Royal Navy did fail to properly maintain 1,500 water pipes on HMNB.
Keith Brown MSP, SNP depute leader, told The National: “With repeated reports of serious incidents at Faslane and now confirmed radioactive contamination in Loch Long, it’s clear these weapons are not only poorly maintained but are 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.”
Brown added, “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.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, “We place the upmost importance on handling radioactive substances safely and securely.
“Nuclear Site Event Reports demonstrate our robust safety culture and commitment to learn from experience.
“The incidents posed no risk to the public and did not result in any radiological impact to the environment. It is factually incorrect to suggest otherwise.
“Our government backs our nuclear deterrent as the ultimate guarantor of our national security.”
