Putin will take us seriously..without nukes

Robertson says independent Scotland would still have important role in Nato

- CHRIS MCCALL

A SENIOR SNP minister has denied that removing the UK's nuclear deterrrent from Scotland would embolden Vladimir Putin.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson was promoting the publication of the Scottish Government's latest paper on independence.

The report outlines how an independent Scotland would apply to join the EU and Nato and have a "clear interest in contributing to the stability and defence" of north-west Europe.

But the paper also insists that removing nuclear weapons from Royal Naval bases on the Clyde would be a top priority.

Robertson would not put a timescale on how long it would take to close down the Trident submarine bases at Faslane and Coulport.