The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is facing growing pressure to release details of a Category A nuclear incident that occurred earlier this year at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane), the home of Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet.
According to official figures, the incident, classified as Category A, the highest level of concern under Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs), took place sometime between 1 January and 22 April 2025. Despite the severity of the classification, the MoD has described the event as of “low safety significance” and insisted it posed no risk to personnel, the public, or the environment.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle confirmed in a written parliamentary response that a total of 106 incidents occurred at Faslane during the 12-month period ending 22 April 2025, including 1 Category A, 5 Category B, and dozens of lesser incidents. At nearby RNAD Coulport, which stores and loads Trident missiles, there were 47 incidents, including 13 Category C events.
MoD urged to publish details regarding the Category A radiation risk incident at Faslane earlier this year.
The consequences of the incident and measures for future prevention should be publicised, otherwise the Scottish public will continue to worry that these cases will recur! pic.twitter.com/GP3XIurHqh
— Scottish CND (@ScottishCND) August 19, 2025
However, Eagle declined to provide details on the Category A or B events, citing national security:
“Disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.”
In a separate letter, Defence Secretary John Healey reassured MPs:
“All reported events were categorised as of low safety significance… no harm was caused to any member of staff, the public, or the environment.”
SNP MP Dave Doogan, who raised the issue, said public confidence depends on transparency, especially when dealing with nuclear safety near civilian populations.
