THE SNP called for urgent clarification yesterday on Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to double the size of a torpedo testing range off the west coast of Scotland without a consultation.

MP Ian Blackford wrote to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon accusing the MoD of “riding roughshod” over Scottish communities after the Westminster government failed to carry out a public consultation despite assurances that it would.

He stated that the communities affected were “effectively faced with a fait accompli” as proposed changes to the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (Butec) could threaten the livelihoods of around 140 fishermen working in the area.

Mr Blackford raised serious concerns after the proposed changes were reported in the local press just as Westminster went into its summer recess, limiting the ability of him and others “to question the minister as to what is going on.”

He demanded that Mr Fallon make a statement in the Commons, saying that it was “imperative that we have a meaningful consultation within the affected communities and a willingness to take account of local interests.”

SNP Westminster defence spokesman Brendan O’Hara added that it was “another example of MoD decisions being made in London with no knowledge of the local area or of the potential economic impact on fragile fishing jobs.

“The Minister for Defence Procurement gave several assurances that the proposed changes would be part of a formal consultation and this should take place before changes to bylaws are made.”