There are reports that the nuclear submarine base on the Clyde has been hit by a series of safety breaches, including leaks of radioactive waste.
 
In a confidential report released under the Freedom of Information Act, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) described safety failings at Faslane, on the Gare Loch near Glasgow, as a "recurring theme".

The breaches include three leaks of radioactive coolant from nuclear submarines in 2004, 2007 and 2008 into the Firth of Clyde.

Last year a radioactive waste plant manager was replaced when it emerged he had no qualifications in radioactive waste management.

The documents, which were released to Channel 4 News, showed the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) warned it would consider closing the base if it had the power to do so.

Civil radioactive safety regulations do not apply to MoD sites but the department has previously said it would volunteer to uphold them at the base.

The documents also suggested Faslane will be the UK's only nuclear submarine base by 2015, with three submarines currently based at Devonport in Plymouth transferred to Scotland.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "The discharges into the Gare loch had no environmental consequences. The MoD is a responsible nuclear operator and informed the appropriate regulatory authorities.

"We commissioned an independent study into the facilities and practices at HM Naval Base Clyde and an improvement plan is currently under way to ensure modern standards and best practice at the base."