Police Attempt To Remove Climate Activists Blocking Faslane Nuclear Base

Police have begun trying to remove climate activists who have blockaded the Faslane nuclear base by attaching themselves to large plant pots.

Members of Extinction Rebellion Scotland, alongside peace activists from Trident Ploughshares, are staging a protest at the north gate of the base and began singing as police tried to remove them.

The all-female group of more than 15 activists placed three planters, containing plants and flowers and painted with the words "Safe", "Green", and "Future", on the road on Friday morning.

An Extinction Rebellion protester is attached and locked on to each planter so they cannot be moved, preventing access to the base, although emergency vehicles can still get onto the site through the south gate.

The activists say they are demanding a future safe from the "threat of nuclear weapons and environmental destruction".

A spokesman for HMNB Clyde said: "We can confirm that there is protest activity at HMNB Clyde's north gate.

"Police Scotland are in attendance and assisting Ministry of Defence Police in dealing with the activity.

"Well-established, fully co-ordinated procedures are in place to ensure the effective operation of HMNB Clyde is not compromised because of protest action."

HM Naval Base Clyde, known as Faslane, is home to the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Extinction Rebellion said the action is part of the Peace Lotus campaign, a global day of anti-war resistance celebrating the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

Cover image: Extinction Rebellion protestors outside the base earlier on Friday (Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo).