Independence: ‘death knell’ of shipbuilding claim

SCOTTISH unionists have been branded “a disgrace” by the SNP for saying independence will be “the death knell” of shipbuilding in Scotland.

Picture: TSPL

Labour leader Johann Lamont was called “a disgrace to Scotland” by an SNP MSP during a rowdy Labour-led debate at Holyrood.

An SNP minister also described Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael’s promotion of Portsmouth’s shipbuilding capability as “a disgrace”.

Labour MP for Govan Ian Davidson, convener of Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee, was accused of threatening workers with their jobs if they voted Yes.

Labour hit back with a roll call of senior shipyard workers who have voiced fears about independence, and demanded the SNP withdraw their comments.

Ms Lamont said: “No matter how inconvenient it is for some people, there is only one game in town. The only option for bridging the gap between the carrier project that kept Govan and Scotstoun open and any future plans for shipbuilding is naval contracts.”