Commandos sent to guard Faslane

Following a series of effective demonstrations against Britain's nuclear base, a special unit of Marine Commandos are moving to Faslane.

Comacchio are a special forces group of 500 commandos. They are currently based near Arbroath. From there they send detachments to patrol Faslane and to escort nuclear weapons convoys.

Now a special barracks has been built for them inside the top secret nuclear base. The second in command of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Conway said: "Our task is simple. We will be based in Faslane to protect it and its nuclear submarines from small groups of aggressors who may wish to enter the base and either damage remove the naval hardware that we are there to guard."

The move follows the recent success of demonstrations by Scottish CND, Trident Ploughshares and Faslane Peace Camp.

In the last few years there have been 800 arrests in Trident Ploughshares actions, 94 trials and a total of 832 days in prison.

Comacchio Group will have orders to open fire in particular circumstances. Angie Zelter of Trident Ploughshares said:

"Is there any reason to shoot at middle-aged women who will not resist arrest and will allow themselves to be disarmed ?"