THE SNP have called for a public inquiry into the decommissioning of nuclear submarines, after it was revealed that the UK Government has failed to properly dispose of a single vessel.

As The National reported yesterday, the National Audit Office found the Ministry of Defence has not disposed of any of the 20 subs decommissioned since 1980.

Storage alone of old nuclear submarines are costing the taxpayer £500 million.

SNP MP and defence spokesman Stewart McDonald said: “This is a scandal of epic proportions. Eye-watering sums of money are being wasted by the Ministry of Defence and it is time that those responsible – ministers and officials of the current and previous governments – were called to answer how this sorry situation has been arrived at.

“A public inquiry would allow for proper scrutiny. It is vital that the authors of this mess explain themselves.”