THE executive officer at HM Naval Base Clyde has refused to be drawn on the implications for the base of Scottish independence – but has admitted there would be major logistical issues in the event of a vote to leave the UK.

Commander Mark Fitzsimmons told members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) that relocating the base, in the event of a ‘yes’ vote in any second referendum, would be “not an easy thing to do”.

Commander Fitzsimmons was speaking at the latest in a series of meetings with community councils near the base, which will soon become the home of the UK’s entire submarine fleet and already plays host to the country’s Trident nuclear deterrent.

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Asked by HCC’s minutes secretary Irina Agostinelli whether an independent Scotland was seen as a realistic proposition, and what that might mean for the Royal Navy’s presence in the area, Commander Fitzsimmons said: “It will come as no surprise to you if I choose to say that is something that I would not wish to comment directly upon.

“There are so many issues, in the event of independence, that would have to be discussed between the Scottish and UK governments to resolve the issue of Faslane as a site.

“The naval base is the largest single employer in this area and contributes a significant economic investment into this part of Argyll and Bute, the west of Scotland and the entirety of Scotland.

“Relocating the base is not an easy thing to do. It’s a category one nuclear site that brings all sorts of regulatory issues to it – any discussion between the Scottish Government and the UK government would be, I suspect, quite protracted to say the least.”

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Commander Fitzsimmons also touched on the issue of the forthcoming expansion of the base, but said Helensburgh, and the wider Argyll and Bute area, would not be swamped by large numbers of Navy personnel and their families moving to the area at once.

“This will happen over a number of years,” he said, “and in a steady, measured way.

“You might get 10-15 families that might move when a boat transfers. It won’t be a wave that’s going to suddenly flood Argyll and Bute.”