THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a public consultation yesterday on plans to double a Royal Navy submarine torpedo testing area following pressure from opposition parties in Parliament.

SNP MP Ian Blackford had raised concerns regarding the lack of consultation with Defence Secretary Michael Fallon earlier this week after local fishermen said the plan would devastate their fishing area.

CND Scotland co-ordinator John Ainslie said his group was also concerned about the MoD’s expansion plans as the facility is used by Trident nuclear-armed submarines. “The MoD are placing their obsession with nuclear submarines before any concern for the livelihood of the fishing community,” he said.

“This news comes just weeks after the MoD finally admitted that it was a British nuclear submarine that almost sank an Irish fishing boat in April. “The MoD has now said that its contractor Qinetiq has begun a separate consultation process with local fishermen.