Streeting accuses Swinney of politicising Scottish security over Russian threats

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting accused Scottish First Minister John Swinney of using national security for party politics after Swinney warned that Scotland was exposed to Russian threats. The dispute centres on the SNP’s opposition to the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent and raises questions about Scotland’s protection and the party’s position on joining Nato as an independent country.

Swinney has argued that Scotland’s coastline is inadequately protected and that nuclear weapons are obsolete in an era of cyber attacks and drones. Streeting cited the North Atlantic deployment of HMS Prince of Wales as evidence that the warning was unfounded, and said the UK was increasing defence spending, with plans to reach 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035. He described the nuclear deterrent as central to both UK and Nato security.