PM MUST CLARIFY UK GOVERNMENT POSITION ON AL-MEGRAHI

The Prime Minister has been urged to clarify the UK Government’s position on the Scottish Justice Secretary’s decision to reject the Prisoner Transfer application and release Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds, after Children’s Secretary Ed Balls contradicted previous statements made by UK Ministers, including the Foreign Secretary.

SNP Westminster leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angus Robertson MP called on Gordon Brown to clarify his position after Mr Balls – speaking on the BBC Today Programme – said: “none of us [the UK Government] wanted to see the release of Al-Megrahi.”

Mr Balls remarks conflict with previous statements by the Prime Minister who said that he ‘respects’ the Scottish Government’s decision, and the Today interview by the Foreign Secretary last Wednesday confirming the position communicated to the Libyans by Bill Rammell, that UK Ministers “did not want him to die in prison”.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“The Prime Minister must make a clear statement setting out exactly where his government actually stands. Ed Balls’ comments contradict previous statements by the Foreign Secretary, and add to the confusion that has engulfed Downing Street .

“Ed Balls’ comments are totally at odds with Bill Rammell’s claim that neither Gordon Brown nor David Miliband wanted Megrahi to die in a Scottish jail – since confirmed by the Foreign Secretary.

“In rejecting the Prisoner Transfer application and granting compassionate release to send al-Megrahi back to Libya to die, Scotland’s Justice Secretary made the right decision for the right reasons - and one which is attracting widespread and growing support, as this weekend’s YouGov poll which puts the SNP 8 points ahead of Labour demonstrates.”

PM MUST RETHINK NOT RE-STATE AFGHAN STRATEGY

Commenting after the Prime Minister delivered a speech on Afghanistan this afternoon (Friday) SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP repeated calls for a rethink of UK strategy warning that a re-statement of the mission was not enough to convince people that the best strategy was being pursued.

Mr Robertson, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has repeatedly called for a strategic review of operations and objectives.

Mr Robertson said:

“If Gordon Brown wants to convince people the best course is being pursued he must rethink strategy, not just re-state it. The fact is, the prime minister cannot convince his own MPs the best strategy is being pursued, never mind the public or our forces themselves.

“Gordon Brown does not seem to recognise that we need a major rethink to win hearts and minds here at home as well as the support of people in Afghanistan .

“That strategic review of operations must convince people that a proper strategy and proper objectives are being pursued with the likelihood of success. Right now people are not even sure that our forces are getting the equipment they need to do the job.

“The Taliban were meant to have been defeated eight years ago, but after operations exceeding the length of the Second World War, the fact that fighting has gotten worse underlines the folly of the Labour government's decision to take us into Iraq . Distracted by the Iraq quagmire, the government took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan .

“Now, the awful toll of military personnel killed in Afghanistan , along with questions over the legitimacy of the Afghan elections, has left people asking just what our forces are fighting for.

“It is time we had a major rethink that looks at all the options, and that will give people, not least our troops themselves, the confidence that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.”

JOYCE RESIGNATION PILES PRESSURE ON BROWN

Commenting on the resignation of Eric Joyce as PPS to the Defence Secretary, Westminster SNP Leader and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP said:

"Pressure is mounting on Gordon Brown to treat our armed forces properly and reassess his failing Afghan strategy.

"Eric Joyce should have resigned a long time ago given the atrocious treatment our servicemen and women have endured from Labour over a long period of time.

"Since Labour came to power in 1997 they have cut the number of military personnel and bases throughout Scotland and his resignation just highlights that litany of failure."

SMEARS MUST END AS NEW DEFENCE CHIEF TAKES POST

As General Sir David Richards takes over as Chief of the Defence Staff today (Friday) the SNP called on the UK Government to get behind the new forces commander – and put an end to the Labour smear campaign which had been directed at his predecessor.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said Ministers must give their full support to Gen Richards as he focuses on the military effort in Afghanistan . Labour has been under fire over attempts to smear his predecessor, General Sir Richard Dannatt, after a peer, Lord Foulkes, tabled parliamentary questions seeking to embarrass the head of the Armed Forces. Lord Foulkes previously accused Gen Dannatt of giving 'succour to the enemy' for demanding more helicopters in Afghanistan, and recent media reports suggest Labour are co-ordinating an effort to smear the outgoing commander.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Richards takes on his role at a critical time, and he must be able to count on the support of ministers and be able to speak frankly about operational issues without fear of vilification.
“Sir David’s predecessor spoke out about defence needs and was met with slurs and smears from Labour.

“Instead of asking serious questions about equipment and military strategy, Lord Foulkes was more interested in trying to embarrass the chief of the defence staff over his travel arrangements. As our forces face very difficult challenges in Afghanistan , we must have no repeat of these petty attacks.

“The UK Government must give our forces, at every level, the support they need as they serve the country.”

UK MUST "OPEN UP" ON LIBYA DEALINGS

UK DEALINGS "SHROUNDED IN SECRECY"

Commenting on reports in The Herald newspaper in which Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam Gaddafi suggests that negotiations over the Prisoner Transfer Agreement struck between Tony Blair and Libya connected trade deals to the release of the Lockerbie bomber SNP MP and Westminster leader Angus Robertson said;

"Kenny MacAskill made the right decision for the right reasons and he has explained that decision in Parliament.

"The SNP spoke out against Tony Blair's deal in the desert when it was first struck, but the UK denied that Megrahi was the target and refused to exclude him from the agreement.

"The UK Government's negotiation of a prisoner transfer agreement and meetings between the UK Government and Libya remain shrouded in secrecy.

"It is time for the UK to open up on Blair and Brown's dealings with Colonel Gaddafi.

"The Scottish Government has said it will release all possible information on the consideration of Mr Megrahi's release as soon as it can.

"If the UK Government wants to end suspicion over it's own dealings with Libya Gordon Brown should adopt the same approach and put the details of these meetings into the public domain."

AS AFGHANISTAN GOES TO POLLS, UK MUST RECONSIDER STRATEGY

As the people of Afghanistan go to the polls in today’s (Thursday) elections, the SNP has reiterated calls for a strategic rethink of operations in Afghanistan .

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, said that a candid review of strategy is essential to convince people that the UK government has an achievable strategy.

The run up to the Afghan presidential election has seen very heavy losses with the number of British service personnel lost in the conflict exceeding 200 with serious questions being asked of the UK ’s approach. In recent days, head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has called for more resources warning that key shortages are undermining operations to protect troops from roadside bombs while the UK’s former ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, says the army has been "holding a wall up" in Helmand, but "no one has come along to build a buttress" of development.

Mr Robertson said:

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.

“In recent months, senior military sources have raised real concerns about the resources being made available while the UK ’s former ambassador to the UN has questioned the lack of development policy in the region.

“History shows that conflicts in Afghanistan are incredibly complex. We need to avoid mission creep by focusing on what it is we want to achieve in Afghanistan .

“It is imperative we undertake a major review of our strategy – a review of both deployment of resources and political objectives.”

EVE OF ELECTION CALL AFGHAN STRATEGY RETHINK

DANNATT RESOURCE CONCERNS PILE ON PRESSURE

On the eve of the Afghan elections the SNP has repeated calls for a strategic rethink of operations in Afghanistan . The calls come as the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has called for more resources warning that key shortages are undermining operations to protect troops from roadside bombs.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has argued that a candid review of strategy is essential to convince people that the government has an achievable strategy.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Dannatt’s calls must be a wake up call for Ministers and his intervention heaps even more pressure on the Government for a major rethink about operations and resources in Afghanistan .

“In particular General Dannatt’s demand for more surveillance systems raises serious questions just as the MoD has cancelled the Soothsayer intelligence system and as Ministers review plans to buy or upgrade surveillance aircraft.

“There are also doubts over the future of the Reaper drones used to locate Taliban forces. At present only two of the five drones ordered are operating, and it has emerged that the third has not been cleared to fly in US airspace for training purposes while the remaining two are not scheduled to be delivered until 2010.

“These concerns clearly add to growing fears that resource limitations are contributing to the deaths of service personnel in Afghanistan , and Ministers need to address that immediately.

“As well as getting the resources they need, our military personnel deserve a realistic and focussed approach from the UK government – and Ministers must take the initiative after the Afghan elections to rethink our strategy and objectives reflecting the wider regional concerns.

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.”

SNP CALL FOR AFGHAN RETHINK AS DEATH TOLL RISES

UK MINISTER MUST TAKE INITIATIVE AFTER AFGHAN ELECTION

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has repeated calls for a major rethink of UK strategy in Afghanistan as the British death toll in Afghanistan reached 200.

Mr Robertson, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, said a serious review of strategy after the Afghan elections this month was now more necessary than ever.

Mr Robertson said:

“This is a desperately sad time for those who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and, on behalf of the SNP, I would like to offer my deepest condolences.

“This tragic milestone throws into sharp relief the need for a serious review of our operations in Afghanistan to refocus out efforts and ensure that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.

“After almost eight years, our military personnel deserve a realistic and focussed approach from the UK government. Ministers must take the initiative after the Afghan elections this month to rethink our strategy and objectives reflecting the wider regional concerns.

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, and now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.”

LABOUR UNDER FIRE OVER DISAPPEARING DEFENCE JOBS

9,500 SCOTTISH JOBS AXED SINCE 1997

CONCERN AS CONSULTATION CLOSES ON UIST RANGE

The UK Labour Government is under fire over official Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures which reveal that 9,500 Scottish defence jobs have been lost since Labour came to power.

MoD figures reveal there are now 1,930 fewer service jobs and 4,570 fewer civilian jobs in Scotland than there were in 1997 with a further 3,000 jobs based on direct MoD expenditure lost between 2002 and 2007.

The SNP seized on the revelations which come as a consultation over the future 125 jobs at a missile range in the Hebrides comes to a close.

Angus Robertson MP, the SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson, said:

“These figures expose the lie of Labour’s claimed support for defence jobs in Scotland - after twelve years in power almost ten thousand jobs have disappeared.

“As the consultation on the future of another 125 jobs at the missile range in the Hebrides closes this week, Ministers must be held to account over their commitment to defence jobs in Scotland .

“The irony is that Labour backbenchers line up to scaremonger about the future of defence jobs in an independent Scotland , but the facts show that it is the UK government that is closing bases and cutting jobs.”

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil echoed concerns as a consultation on plans by the MoD to halve the workforce at the missile range on South Uist and Benbecula and withdraw staff from its base on St Kilda, comes to a close on Thursday.

Mr MacNeil added:

“Labour’s record on Scottish defence jobs is rotten, and that is clearly worrying as the consultation on jobs at the Hebrides range comes to a close.

“The range is a cornerstone in the economy of our community - it is the largest employer in the Southern Isles chain.

“As the true extent of the devastation of Scotland ’s defence sector wrought by the Labour Government becomes apparent, UK Ministers should defend our defence sector for once.”

SUPPRESSED DEFENCE REPORT REIGNITES TRIDENT DEBATE

PM FACES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND SPIN

Reports that Downing Street has suppressed a report revealing the MoD is wasting billions of pounds every year as a result of ordering projects it cannot afford has sparked renewed calls for the prime minister to rule-out looming commitments on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Gordon Brown is set to sign-off £2bn in design work for the weapons system in September – just as pressure is piling on the prime minister to answer questions about how his government is dealing with the campaign in Afghanistan after a series of media reports highlighted serious concerns about equipment.

The SNP have argued that Trident renewal must not be excluded from the Strategic Defence Review and further spending on the project should be ruled out pending the planned assessment of defence needs and the 30-nation nuclear non-proliferation summit scheduled in Washington next March.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“For Downing Street to suppress a report on defence spending at a time when the government faces fundamental questions about whether our forces in Afghanistan are getting the equipment they need is absolutely unacceptable.

“Gordon Brown cannot dodge the serious questions that are mounting about equipment in Afghanistan . He is already exposed for saying there were enough helicopters only to have Bob Ainsworth contradict that claim by saying he was 'busting a gut' to get more helicopters into theatre.

“Speculation that the UK government is wasting billions of pounds on projects it cannot afford totally reignites the debate on Trident renewal. In just a few weeks Gordon Brown is set to sign-off £2bn worth of design work on these weapons of mass destruction.

“People struggle to understand, at a time when budgets are tight across the armed forces and Scotland faces a £500 million budget cut from London , why the UK Government is ploughing billions of pounds into a new generation of unwanted and unnecessary nuclear weapons.

“Any way you look at it - on moral, economic or political grounds - renewal of this nuclear system is untenable.”

PRESSURE PILES ON BROWN OVER AFGHANISTAN

PM FACES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND SPIN

Pressure is piling on Gordon Brown to answer yet more questions about how his government is dealing with the campaign in Afghanistan after a series of newspaper reports highlighted serious concerns about equipment and reporting of the campaign.

The Prime Minister faces continuing questions over whether troops are being provided with the necessary equipment to tackle the Taliban after it emerged in today's Daily Telegraph that life-saving vehicles built to withstand roadside bombs have been stranded in Dubai for the past month, while the Daily Mail reports that Defence chiefs warning that new Merlin helicopters being sent to Afghanistan lack Kevlar armour, making them vulnerable to small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

In a separate development, it has also emerged in the Guardian that a military press officer is set to sue the MoD claiming that he was forced to tell "government lies" to the families of British soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan – by leading bereaved families and the media to believe that the soldiers had been properly equipped when they were killed, something he had come to believe was untrue and "morally indefensible".

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said the Prime Minister had serious questions to answer about his previous claims that there were enough helicopters in Afghanistan .

Mr Robertson said:

“To send brave soldiers into harms way without the equipment they need is unforgivable, inexcusable and a breach of trust. Gordon Brown cannot dodge the serious questions that are mounting about equipment in Afghanistan . He is already exposed for saying there were enough helicopters only to have Bob Ainsworth contradict that claim by saying he was 'busting a gut' to get more helicopters into theatre.

“It is extraordinary that today's reports say life-saving vehicles built to withstand Taliban roadside bombs have been parked-up in Dubai for the last month – during one of the bloodiest periods in the conflict. It is equally unbelievable that the new Merlin helicopters lack Kevlar armour. That armour would cost just £100,000 – a drop in the ocean compared to the billions Labour want to waste on a new generation of Trident nuclear missiles.

"To compound these latest revelations we also have those of a military press officer revealing that he could no longer tell "government lies" to bereaved families about equipment.

"These are serious allegations and they now put Gordon Brown under serious pressure.

“What he needs to do is end his defensiveness over questions about equipment and start delivering the kit that is needed by our forces on the frontline.”

CLARIFICATION CALLS ON SOLDIERS’ COMPENSATION

PPS SHOULD RESIGN ON PRINCIPLE IF CASE CONTINUES

The SNP have called on the Defence Secretary to clarify whether the Ministry of Defence is set to drop its legal bid to cut the compensation paid to wounded soldiers’ after his Ministerial aide kept his job after branding the action ‘bonkers’ and said it should be abandoned – raising the prospect of a climbdown.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP also called on Eric Joyce, the Defence Secretary’s PPS, to resign on principle if the action was not dropped.

Mr Robertson said:

“The Ministry of Defence are in a state of utter chaos and confusion, and Bob Ainsworth must clarify whether the government is going to drop its legal bid to cut soldiers’ compensation, or continue through the courts.

“Bob Ainsworth has been left looking a complete fool by his own aide, and yet Eric Joyce is still in his job – despite the fact that neither man seems to have any confidence in the other.

“The Defence Secretary has been branded ‘bonkers’, but Eric Joyce does not come out of this with much credibility either. He does not approve of his government’s policy but is so caught up with the trappings of power that he is clinging to his job at all costs. Eric Joyce should have the courage of his convictions and resign on principle.

“The MoD are behaving shamefully in attempting to cut these compensation payments. These two soldiers were wounded while serving their country, and now the UK Government is fighting them in court – it is an outrageous and crass way to treat these men.

“The MoD should think again about how their action will be viewed by the service community in the present circumstances and drop this ridiculous challenge.”

BLAIR AND BROWN MUST GIVE EVIDENCE IN PUBLIC

IRAQ INQUIRY WILL BE JUDGED ON ANSWERS AND LESSONS LEARNED

Commenting as the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war gets underway, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said the investigation would be judged on the answers that it provided and said the former and current prime ministers must give evidence in public.

The SNP have led demands for an inquiry into the Iraq war, and secured the first substantive debate at Westminster in October 2006 – at that time the vote calling for an inquiry was narrowly lost by just 25 votes – with 12 Labour rebels. It was backed by all Tories and Liberal Democrats.

Mr Robertson said:

“This inquiry will be judged on the answers that it provides and the lessons that are learned.

“Sir John Chilcot has a mountain to climb if he is to convince people that this an open and independent inquiry and not some establishment stitch-up with Downing Street pulling the strings.

“The whole point of an inquiry is to get to the truth about the Iraq war, and the conduct and conclusions of Sir John’s investigation must leave no doubt in peoples minds or questions unanswered. It is essential that both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown give their evidence to this inquiry in public.

“By every measurement the Iraq war has been the biggest foreign policy disaster in modern times, and those responsible for it have never answered the most fundamental questions about why we were led into this war.

“The claim that the war was about weapons of mass destruction was a blatant lie, a mere cover story unsupported by the facts, which has cost the lives of thousands of civilians and hundreds of our brave soldiers.”

OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has hit out at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over an attempt at the Court of Appeal to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers.

Mr Robertson has written to the Defence Secretary demanding to know how much the MoD has spent on legal advice and representation in their attempt to challenge the compensation payments.

Mr Robertson said:

“The Ministry of Defence are behaving shamefully in attempting to cut these compensation payments. These two soldiers were wounded while fighting for their country, and now the UK Government is fighting them in court – it is an outrageous and exceptionally crass way to treat these men.

“It is frankly offensive that when our servicemen and women are risking their lives engaged in fierce fighting in Afghanistan , sustaining significant casualties in the process, the MoD are attempting to slash the compensation levels awarded to those wounded in battle.

“Soldiers, sailors and airforce personnel have already volunteered to do a difficult, dangerous and stressful job often in hostile territory thousands of miles from home. To be met with such a response from the MoD when seeking compensation for wounds received in service is unacceptable.

“The MoD should think again about how their action will be viewed by the service community in the present circumstances.”

LORD FOULKES SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR ASTONISHING ATTACK ON ARMY CHIEFS

Responding to comments by Labour MSP Lord Foulkes, who accused the head of the Armed Forces and the Army's chief of making comments give 'succour to the enemy', the SNP’s Westminster Leader and defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“These are astonishing remarks and totally out of touch. Lord Foulkes should apologise for making such outrageous accusations.

“If Gordon Brown can get Lord Malloch-Brown to retract his comments today, why does he not get Lord Foulkes to do likewise with his disgraceful comments?

"Considering the difficulties faced in Afghanistan, I would have thought Richard Dannatt and Jock Stirrup have shown restraint in this matter which is something Lord Foulkes should consider adopting."

POLLS SHOW SNP AHEAD OF LABOUR FOR WESTMINSTER

"QUADRUPLE WHAMMY" HITTING LABOUR SUPPORT

VOTERS BACK SNP DELIVERY

An updated analysis of results from the latest opinion polls over June and July – adding up to over 2,700 voters, and taking into account a YouGov poll and ComRes poll published on Sunday which both put the SNP ahead – shows the SNP leading Labour in votes for Westminster elections.

Added to the analysis which showed the SNP achieving increasing swings in local authority by-elections, is ahead in Holyrood opinion polls, and on the heels of the SNP’s European election success, it underlines that momentum is with the SNP as the party gears up for the Glasgow North East by-election.

The results of four election and poll analyses show the SNP;

- leading in Westminster opinion polls by 3% over Labour (a 12.5% swing from Labour to SNP from 2005)

- overtaking Labour in Last month’s European elections by 8% (7.5% swing from Labour to SNP since 2004)

- achieving a 5% lead over Labour across June’s local authority by-elections (a 7.3% swing from Labour to SNP from 2007)

- leading Holyrood opinion polls by 10% from Labour (4.5% swing from Labour to SNP from 2007)

Commenting SNP Business Convener Angus Robertson MP said:

"The SNP are working hard to earn people’s trust, and these excellent results show that the people of Scotland support the SNP’s record of delivery.

"There is no doubt that the Westminster election will be a two horse race in Scotland between the SNP and Labour.

“The overall results of all elections and polls are also a quadruple whammy for the SNP with a four way lead over Labour - in Europe, at local level, in Holyrood and at Westminster.

“The SNP have won the support of voters in the European elections and in by-elections across the country with a swing to the SNP in every single election and we are maintaining historic leads in the opinion polls for both Holyrood and Westminster.

“As we pass the midterm point of the first ever SNP Government, our continued and increasing support shows that the SNP are delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland, while the UK Labour Government and Scottish Labour simply go into reverse.

“Labour has failed to take responsibility for the recession and refuse to face up to the reality of the £500 million of cuts they are forcing on Scotland’s public services.”

SNP Glasgow North East candidate David Kerr said:

"Instead of hiding away, the Labour party need to face voters and call the by-election immediately - it is totally unacceptable for the people of Glasgow North East to be left without an MP for four more months."

PM BRANDED INCONSISTENT ON NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION

The Prime Minister has been branded inconsistent on nuclear non-proliferation after publishing a written statement today (Thursday) on countering proliferation and reducing weapons arsenals while simultaneously preparing to sign-off £2bn in design contracts for Trident replacement in September.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP urged Gordon Brown to rule-out imminent commitments on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system expected to be signed-off during the parliamentary recess.

Mr Robertson said:

“Gordon Brown is totally inconsistent on nuclear arms limitation – he is lecturing the world on non-proliferation while simultaneously planning to pay a two billion deposit on Trident.

“The Prime Minister has even excluded Trident from the Strategic Defence Review as some sacred cow – it is just not credible to exclude a debate on Trident replacement from either that audit or wider international talks on disarmament.

“Any way you look at it - on moral, economic or political grounds - renewal of this nuclear system is untenable.

“Lord Mandelson has admitted Labour plan a decade of public spending cuts, and people will struggle to understand, at a time when budgets are tight across the armed forces and Scotland faces a £500 million budget cut from London , why the UK Government is ploughing billions of pounds into a new generation of unwanted and unnecessary nuclear weapons.

“As we go into the parliamentary recess the Prime Minister must rule out further decisions and spending commitments on the renewal of Trident due to be signed off in the coming months.

“Civil society, trade unions, religious organisations and the Scottish Government are working together to keep a new generation of Trident missiles out of our waters – even military leaders openly question the affordability and rationale of these weapons, and as recent polling shows, the tide has well and truly turned on Trident.”

POLL SHOWS TIDE HAS TURNED ON TRIDENT RENEWAL

A new poll which shows the majority of people across the UK oppose replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system has been welcomed by the SNP. The ICM poll today (Tuesday) adds to growing opposition to the renewal of Trident.

The SNP has consistently opposed the presence of nuclear weapons on Scotland 's shores and has condemned UK Government plans to replace Trident. The Scottish Parliament, a majority of Scottish MPs and the Scottish Government are all opposed to current plans to replace Trident with new nuclear weapons.

Trident renewal must not be excluded from the Strategic Defence Review and further spending on the project should be ruled out pending the planned assessment of defence needs and the 30-nation nuclear non-proliferation summit scheduled in Washington next March.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“The tide has turned on Trident, and Gordon Brown is going to have to accept that the renewal of this nuclear system is untenable.

“Any way you look at it - on moral, economic or political grounds - time is up for Trident.

“People struggle to understand, at a time when budgets are tight across the armed forces and Scotland faces a £500 million budget cut from London , why the UK Government is ploughing billions of pounds into a new generation of unwanted and unnecessary nuclear weapons.

“Ministers have announced a strategic defence review, and it is not credible to exclude a debate on the Trident replacement programme from that audit. It is totally untenable for Gordon Brown to exclude Trident from the Strategic Defence Review as some sacred cow.

“In the last week we have seen an agreement on nuclear disarmament between the United State and Russia and the announcement of a non-proliferation summit next March. For all these reasons the Prime Minister must rule out further decisions and spending commitments on the renewal of Trident due to be signed off by Ministers in the coming months.

“Civil society, trade unions, religious organisations the Scottish Government, are working together to keep a new generation of Trident missiles out of our waters – even military leaders openly question the affordability and rationale of these weapons, and this poll shows that the tide has well and truly turned.”

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON PM FOR AFGHAN RETHINK

Questioning the Prime Minister today (Monday) after a G8 statement in the House of Commons SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, repeated calls for a serious review of UK strategy in Afghanistan – after next months Afghan elections – reflecting the widening conflict and concerns in relation to Pakistan.

Mr Robertson, who visited troops in Afghanistan in March, also expressed fears the window of opportunity in Afghanistan had been undermined because of the invasion of Iraq .

Mr Robertson said:

“We must have a candid review of strategy in Afghanistan , and take stock of the situation faced by our forces and of course the likelihood for success.

“From military commanders to the families of frontline troops people are not convinced that the best strategy has been pursued. The awful toll of military personnel killed in Afghanistan has understandably led to questions about just what our forces are fighting for, and there is a fear that the Iraq war has been a distraction from the early window of opportunity in Afghanistan .

“After almost eight years our military personnel deserve a realistic and focussed approach from the UK government – and Ministers must take the initiative after the Afghan elections next month to rethink our strategy and objectives reflecting the wider regional concerns.

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.

“A military solution is clearly not enough – the idea that you are only going to secure your objective militarily is wrong. Perhaps most crucially we need development, as the UK’s former ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, says the army has been "holding a wall up" in Helmand, but "no one has come along to build a buttress" of development.

“What is required is a major rethink that looks at all the options, and that will give people, not least our troops themselves, the confidence that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.”

SNP MEETS DIAGEO BOSS

Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson MP today (Wednesday) met with Diageo Chief Executive Paul Walsh to discuss job cutting plans by the drinks company.

Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency is home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries and is Vice Chairman of the All Party Whisky Industry Group, said:

“Given the controversy about Diageo’s plans, it is good that there is a commitment to explore all alternatives and work with Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and other partners, including local politicians from across the parties.

“We will do everything we can to produce a viable alternative plan and persuade Diageo to reverse their decision to close the plants in Kilmarnock and Glasgow.

“It is clear that the drinks business is highly competitive but the reputation of the industry at home and abroad is also crucial to its future success.

“That is why Diageo needs to work hard with all of its staff, stakeholders and communities that produce their multi-billion pound profits.

“Paul Walsh gave a commitment to work with partners in Scotland which I welcome. It is in everybody’s interests to ensure the whisky sector is properly engaged and committed to the communities that make, bottle and package their brands.”