Politicians held at Faslane

Published on Tuesday 9 January 2007 01:27

SEVERAL politicians were among nine people arrested at Faslane naval base yesterday during a cross-party protest against the renewal of the Trident weapons system.

The three MSPs, two MEPs, one Welsh Assembly member and a Dutch MP were hauled off by police after trying to blockade the entrance of the submarine base on the Clyde.

They had been part of a group of about 30 politicians from several parties who joined a year-long demonstration by anti- nuclear campaigners outside the heavily guarded site.

Those at the protest included Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's leader at Holyrood, the Scottish Socialists' national convener Colin Fox and other SNP and Green MSPs, Welsh Assembly members, and several Westminster MPs.

They watched as a small group of politicians and activists lay down in front of the gates about an hour into the protest, trying to lock themselves together with cable and bicycle locks.

Among those arrested were the SSP MSPs Carolyn Leckie, Rosie Kane and Frances Curran and the Green MEP Caroline Lucas.

Organisers of the Faslane 365 year-long demonstration said more than 400 people had been detained since the vigil began in October last year.

Westminster is to decide in March whether to give the 20 billion renewal the go-ahead.