REVELATIONS over the number of nuclear safety incidents recorded at HM Naval Base Clyde have sparked a war of words among local politicians.

Figures revealed to SNP MP Deirdre Brock under freedom of information rules revealed a total of 789 incidents had been recorded at Faslane and Coulport since 2006.

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara said: “This is an unacceptably high record of accidents and incidents in places where weapons of mass destruction are kept.

"We already knew that there were 505 nuclear safety events on board submarines while they were berthed at Faslane and now we find that there have been another 284 in other locations at Faslane and at Coulport where weapons are handled.

“Not only is it a huge risk to people living here in Argyll and Bute but we are only 40 miles from Scotland’s largest city.

“It is no secret that I and my SNP colleagues have campaigned to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons but as I have said on many occasions, if they are to be housed here, then the people of Argyll and Bute and the rest of Scotland must be assured that the most rigorous safety procedures are in place.

“But really it is time we stopped allowing nuclear weapons in our country, in our waters, and it’s time we stopped paying the eye-watering costs of maintaining the bases.”

But Lomond North councillor George Freeman, who lives in Garelochhead, only a short distance from Faslane, said the figures were “misleading” – and were being used by opponents of the Trident nuclear weapons system to “support their own agenda”.

Cllr Freeman said: “Although the reports highlight that there have been 789 incidents at HM Naval Base Clyde, most of the media reports do not highlight that these have taken place over the past 13 years which equates to approximately one per week.

“While I am aware that some individuals and others who are opposed to Trident will use these figures to try and support their own agenda, I can confirm that over the past 20 years that I have been the local councillor, no constituents have raised any concerns with me relating to safety issues at HMNBC.

“I attend local liaison committee (LLC) meetings with MoD officials, other councillors, community councils and other statutory bodies where information on these incidents is provided.

“The MOD explains to those attending these meetings how the reporting system works and that these incidents are categorised to ensure low level events with no nuclear significance are included.

“No concerns have been raised at these meetings with regards to the number of incidents that are reported.”