Keir Starmer thanks submariners as they return from longest patrol

Sir Keir Starmer visited submariners as they returned to their base on the Clyde from the longest patrol conducted by one of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-armed vessels.

The Prime Minister boarded a Vanguard-class submarine as it arrived at the Faslane naval base on Saturday, thanking the crew who had spent more than 205 days at sea.

He did not undertake any political visits while north of the border, despite campaigning for the Scottish Parliament elections taking place.

Defence Secretary John Healey joined the Prime Minister for the event at Faslane.

Sir Keir said: “As we face an increasingly volatile world, our nuclear deterrent is more important than ever.

“It was a privilege to be able to meet and thank those who are making sacrifices to protect our country every single day.”

Mr Healey also praised the dedication of the submariners, posting online: “They and their families make huge sacrifices to protect us all and our UK nuclear deterrent is more important now than ever.

“They are the very best of Britain.”

Photos released by Downing Street showed the Prime Minister boarding the submarine and speaking to the personnel on board.

At more than 205 days, the crew of the submarine are understood to have taken part in the longest patrol for a nuclear deterrent submarine – spending months submerged with little contact with the outside world.

The UK’s four Vanguard-class submarines can carry Trident nuclear missiles and at least one of the vessels is out on patrol at sea constantly.

They are due to be replaced by four new Dreadnought-class submarines, the first of which is expected to enter service in the 2030s.