SNP leader branded 'completely unacceptable' over call to ditch Trident amid Russia threat

TORY grandee Lord Michael Heseltine has clashed with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over her call to ditch Britain's nuclear deterrent – amid Russian military activity over UK skies.

Lord Michael Heseltine branded Ms Sturgeon's support for scrapping Trident BBC•RAF

Lord Michael Heseltine branded Ms Sturgeon's support of scrapping Trident "completely unacceptable"

A former defence secretary under Margaret Thatcher's government, Lord Heseltine branded Ms Sturgeon's support for scrapping new Trident nuclear weapons "completely unacceptable".

I don't think there is any dangerous, tense military situation that can be made better by the presence of nuclear weapons

Nicola Sturgeon

The pair's exchange, which aired on BBC Question Time last night, came days after RAF Typhoons were scrambled to warn off two Russian warplanes.

Earlier this week, the Royal Navy also tracked a Russian warship through the English Channel.

Responding to a equation from the audience, Scottish National Party leader Ms Sturgeon said: "Yes, I think Russia is potentially a threat."

The Glasgow Southside MSP then blasted the Coalition Government's defence policy, claiming: "The eye has been taken off that ball over an obsession with nuclear weapons".

"I don't think there is any dangerous, tense military situation that can be made better by the presence of nuclear weapons," she added.

"Planning to spend £100billion on new Trident nuclear weapons is entirely the wrong priority."

However, Lord Heseltine was scathing of the the claims from the Scottish leader.

He said: "I am appalled to hear the leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party arguing that Russia is a threat.

"But she is committed to getting rid of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent. That is completely unacceptable."

Lord Heseltine, 81, described Nato as"the most formidable defence alliance in human history."

The former deputy prime minister claimed there was not "the slightest risk of a nuclear confrontation with Russia because we have a nuclear deterrent". 

"Anyone with any sense of history can see that to leave France as the only nuclear power in Europe would be a reckless piece of irresponsibility," he added.

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