Peer apologises for Trident ‘Auschwitz’ comparison

Lord Wigley made the remark amid reports - denied by the government - that Trident could be relocated to Wales. Picture: PA

Lord Wigley had been commenting on reports - denied by the Government - that the nuclear weapons system could be relocated from Scotland to Wales.

Speaking the day after the world marked 70 years since the end of the Holocaust, the peer made clear that Plaid would be “tremendously opposed” to shifting the base from Faslane naval base to Pembrokeshire.

Asked whether the move would have some positive benefits, such as bringing jobs to the area, Lord Wigley - a former leader of the party - replied: “Look, this week we have been remembering what happened in Germany before the war, no doubt there were many jobs provided in Auschwitz and places like that but that didn’t justify their existence and neither does nuclear weapons justify having them in Pembrokeshire.”

Challenged as to why he was comparing a Trident base to the notorious death camp, he replied: “The number of people that will be killed by Trident will be infinitely more.”

In a statement released later, Lord Wigley said: “I am certainly sorry if my remarks were open to any misinterpretation and I apologise for any offence that has been caused.

“The point I was trying to make was that you can’t have jobs at any cost and I reiterate that.”