Navy Chief 'Should Be Sacked'

The chief of Britain's naval staff should be sacked for suggesting that Royal Navy warships may not be built in the UK, an MP has said.

Labour's John Robertson, who represents the Clyde shipyards in Glasgow North West, called for First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas to be sacked for putting his constituents' futures in doubt.

Scottish Affairs Committee chairman Ian Davidson joked about whether Sir George had been keelhauled'' or hadwalked the plank'', and called for the admiral to appear before his committee.

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael assured the pair that the decisions on where British warships are built rests with ministers.

The row erupted after Sir George was quoted in industry publication Defence News suggesting the contract to build the Type 26 Global Combat Ship should not necessarily'' go to British industry.

During Scotland questions in the Commons, Mr Robertson said: As the MP for the construction yards on the Clyde, where £200 million has been said will be invested to turn it into a state-of-the-art (facility), and where there's thousands of jobs at risk, is it not time the First Sea Lord was sacked for putting my constituents, the people who work in my yard, into such a position of worry?

This is ridiculous and he should stand down immediately.'' Mr Carmichael replied:I cannot overemphasise the decisions on these contracts are made by ministers, the ministers are quite clear that our complex warships are only built in the United Kingdom.

You should be able to give that assurance to your constituents.''

In an earlier exchange, Mr Davidson quipped: Are admirals self employed? Whatever possessed the First Sea Lord to suggest that these ships would not be built on the Clyde?

Has the admiral been keelhauled, walked the plank? Or would it be better if he was invited to meet the Scottish Affairs Select Committee?''

Replying, Mr Carmichael joked: I have a small suspicion having appeared before your committee on a number of occasions that, of the various options that you outline there, the last one is actually one of the least attractive.''