Category A nuclear incident reported at Faslane naval base this year, MoD confirms
The MoD said it is unable to release further detail about the event for security reasons, but stressed it posed 'no risk to the public and did not result in any radiological impact to the environment'.
Defence Secretary John Healey described it as being of 'low safety significance'.
Officially known as HMNB Clyde, Faslane in Argyll and Bute is home to the Royal Navy's flotilla of nuclear submarines.
Figures made public through a response to a written parliamentary question in May show the incident was one of 28 'nuclear site events' recorded at the facility between January 1 and April 22, 2025.
Of the other 27 incidents, two were graded category B, seven as category C, 13 as category D and 5 as 'below scale'.
Last year there were 119 incidents recorded at the base.
In her written answer, UK defence procurement minister Maria Eagle said nuclear site event reports were raised to 'foster a robust safety culture that learns from experience, whether that is of equipment failures, human error, procedural failings, documentation shortcomings or near-misses'.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We place the upmost importance on handling radioactive substances safely and securely.
'Nuclear site event reports demonstrate our robust safety culture and commitment to learn from experience.
'The incidents posed no risk to the public and did not result in any radiological impact to the environment. It is factually incorrect to suggest otherwise.
'Our Government backs our nuclear deterrent as the ultimate guarantor of our national security.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
40 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Last surviving Second World War Victoria Cross recipient dies aged 105
Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, from Aberdeen, received the VC for bravery during an attack on an enemy submarine that left him seriously injured. A total of 181 people received Britain's highest military decoration for their actions during the war. The RAF captain's family told the BBC he died last week and that a funeral would be held in private, the news outlet reported on Saturday. John Cruickshank in uniform (MOD/PA) Flt Lt Cruickshank was the captain of a Catalina flying boat with 210 Squadron, flying submarine-hunting missions from RAF Sullom Voe, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. On July 17 1944, aged 24, he was sent on a patrol to protect the British Home Fleet as it returned from an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz. A U-boat was spotted on the surface near Norway and the aircraft he was captaining and piloting launched an offensive. The first bombs failed to release but Flt Lt Cruickshank turned the plane to face enemy fire and attack again. He dropped depth charges during the second attempt, sinking the U-boat. Flt Lt Cruickshank sustained 72 injuries including two to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs during the assault. The navigator was killed, three other crew members were severely injured, and the badly damaged aircraft was filled with fumes from exploding shells. John Cruickshank beside a Eurofighter at RAF Fairford's International Air Tattoo (David Jones/PA) After the victory, Flt Lt Cruickshank left the cockpit but refused painkillers and continued to advise his second pilot who had taken control. The surviving crew members spent five and a half hours flying back to Sullom Voe. Despite losing consciousness multiple times during their return, he assisted the second pilot with the landing which took an hour. In 2013, Flt Lt Cruickshank said: 'It was just normal, we were trained to do the job and that was it. 'I wouldn't like to say I'm the only one that has an amazing story, there are plenty of other stories coming from that time. 'It wasn't that wonderful in those days, I can tell you that. We could only think in those days there were better days to come.' After the war ended Flt Lt Cruickshank returned to his career in banking.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire WW2 veteran: 'We thought we were going home'
A World War Two veteran has described the disappointment he felt that successive victory celebrations did not mark the end of his Newman, 99, left home to serve with the Royal Navy in 1943 but would not return until 1947, two years after the end of the said he and his crew "thought we were going home" when Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945, but were instead sent to the Far East, where fighting would continue for a further three the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at a flag-raising ceremony and remembrance service in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, he said it was important to remember those who never came home at all. "We're all sad that they never came back. For what they did out there, we truly thank them and I salute them all," he said. On VE Day, he was aboard his ship, near Malta."There was a buzz going round that something was going on, but we didn't know what, he said."We thought we were going home, but it didn't happen. We went out to the Far East. But you have to go where you're told."Mr Newman said he felt "disappointment" that he was not sent home, and "forgotten" while celebrations were under way in even the arrival of VJ Day on 15 August did not mean he and his crewmates could return home."Even when the war was over in 1945, it wasn't over for us," he said."We still had to go out minesweeping, and that took another couple of years."It was very dangerous, obviously. But the point is that the mines are there and they've got to be swept." Mr Newman, who served on HMS Moon, was stationed around the Mediterranean, North Africa and Asia in the years after VJ remembers helping restore British rule in Singapore in September 1945 in an operation led by Lord Louis Mountbatten. "That was quite thrilling. I think the main thing was that we were all going to meet Lord Mountbatten because he was in charge," he said."There was a march past and he gave a speech. He said, 'Well, come on lads, let's go and finish the job.'"Despite "fighting disease and the elements" while risking his life minesweeping, Mr Newman said he looked back fondly on his wartime service."I really liked being in the Royal Navy and I think most sailors did," he said."I don't know how the Army feels about it. Mealtimes were mealtimes and we got plenty to eat. I have memories I'll never forget." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
10 pictures from Glasgow's VJ Day 80th anniversary service
The poignant service was attended by senior military personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF and reserve units, and representatives from faith groups and organisations across the city. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, who also attended the event, said: 'When Japan announced its surrender to the allied forces, the time was met with relief and celebration that after six long years the Second World War was finally over. 'People sometimes forget that after VE Day in May there was service personnel still actively engaged in combat, and today we remember them and their sacrifices, just as we did a few weeks ago. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) 'This is a time to reflect on their selflessness, the courage displayed, and the resilience of those brave people who put their lives on the line, on the ground, in the air, and on the oceans, to keep us safe and to build a better world for our children.' A parade remembering the Glasgow heroes who fought in the 'forgotten war' will be held in Knightswood on Saturday. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) Bailie Anne McTaggart will represent the Lord Provost and lay a wreath at the Veterans' Memorial Monument. She will also present a commemorative Glasgow 850 plate to the Knightswood veterans' organisation as acknowledgement and appreciation, from the city, of the organisation's work and support to city events and causes over the years.
