THE loss of three Devonport warships in a cost-saving exercise has been branded "a sad day for Plymouth" by the city's only Tory MP.
Rebecca Smith said the Labour Government's decision to scrap amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland will diminish the Royal Navy as a full fighting force and land a "huge blow" to the city's prestige and economy.
The South West Devon MP said: "Our dockyard is a source of immense pride to our city. The loss of Devonport 's largest warships is a sad day for Plymouth.
"The decision to cut HMS Albion, Bulwark and Northumberland at a time of growing global instability diminishes the Royal Navy's status as a 'full-spectrum force. It also raises serious questions about the service's recruitment." Defence Secretary John Healey last week told the House of Commons that the warships, two support tankers, Army drones and helicopters would be scrapped as part of a plan to save the Ministry of Defence (MoD) £150m over the next two years. He blamed the former Tory Government for leaving Labour with the "dire inheritance" of a financial black hole.
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Is Wagner the man for Argyle?
FORMER HUDDERSFIELD AND NORWICH BOSS IS INTERVIEWED BY CLUB
Peacock takes on full-time role at Bolitho Park
PLYMOUTH Parkway has significantly expanded the role of assistant manager Lee Peacock, appointing him to a new full-time position within the club.
Arteta's excuses for Arsenal are a load of balls
MIKEL Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final did not reflect his team's performance as he hinted the ball used for the game at the Emirates Stadium hindered his players.
Argyle are closing in on Puchacz
PLYMOUTH Argyle have agreed a deal to take Poland international left-back Tymoteusz Puchacz on loan from German Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel, according to media reports in Europe.
Lopetegui sacked and to be replaced by Potter
WEST Ham have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui after less than eight months in charge.
Arteta's excuses for Arsenal are a load of balls
MIKEL Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final did not reflect his team's performance as he hinted the ball used for the game at the Emirates Stadium hindered his players.
Call yet to be made on Manny surgery
RUGBY UNION Exeter's Rob Baxter says that a decision has still to be made on whether England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will undergo shoulder surgery. Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder while in action for Exeter just before Christmas.
Respects paid to 'loved' Grayson
Webb Simpson hopes the parents of Grayson Murray know how much their son was loved by fellow players following a ceremony to celebrate his life ahead of this week's Sony Open.
Afghan Olympian calls for England boycott
ONE of Afghanistan's first female Olympians has called on the England cricket team to boycott their Champions Trophy match against the Asian country's men's team next month.
Vow to end schools north-south divide
SIR Keir Starmer has vowed to address a north-south disparity in schools.
