Harvie branded ‘foolhardy’ over his opposition to Nato

SCOTTISH Government minister Patrick Harvie has been criticised for restating his opposition to an independent Scotland being in Nato, with Trident removed from the Clyde.

Nato membership is SNP policy, but the Scottish Green co-leader said his party’s opposition was rooted in the defence alliance’s first strike policy on using nuclear weapons.

Such weapons could only ever be used for “civilian mass slaughter”, he told the BBC.

The Glasgow MSP said: “I fundamentally reject the idea that our freedom and our peace and security have to be dependent on the continual fear of mutual annihilation.”

Earlier this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was criticised for saying Nato should keep open the option of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, despite the possibility of direct confrontation with Russian jets and a dramatic escalation of the conflict. Labour MP Ian Murray said: “The Scottish Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis has been utterly embarrassing.

“One minute Nicola Sturgeon is calling for World War Three, the next Patrick Harvie wants us to leave Nato. The United Kingdom and our allies are safer as part of the Nato alliance.

“Those who want to threaten our country’s security should have no place in a government.”

Tory MSP Donald Cameron added: “Patrick Harvie’s foolhardy call for us to leave Nato is typical of the extremist Scottish Greens. Nato has been crucial in maintaining peace in Europe since the Second World War and being a member offers Scotland and the UK security and solidarity with our allies.

“This latest pronouncement from Mr Harvie highlights once again how unfit he and his party are to hold government office.”