I do not have confidence UK is safe from Russian threats - Swinney

John Swinney: There is an obligation on the UK Government to ensure the country is safe

First Minister John Swinney says he does not have confidence the UK is safe from potential Russian threats.

He said he was "very worried" by security fears highlighted this week by the head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, who named Russia as "aggressor number one".

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his government is committed to investing in defence, including nuclear deterrence, while not seeking to escalate tensions with Russia.

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Asked about the MI5 chief's comments, the first minister said he was "very worried" about a "lack of coastal and offshore protection".

"I don't think we've got nearly the presence in those areas that we require today," he told BBC Scotland News.

Scotland is home to the UK's nuclear submarine fleet at Faslane, west of Glasgow. The SNP wants those weapons to be removed, but is in favour of an independent Scotland joining Nato.

The SNP leader said he had "always been a believer in defence co-operation between Scotland and other countries", citing Canada joining the EU's SAFE defence programme, external.

"The first duty of government is to keep its citizens safe, and this government is investing £298bn over the next four years to ensure we can tackle rising threats.

"To tackle these threats, we're also investing in new frigates for the Navy and high-tech uncrewed vessels as part of our Hybrid Navy, backed by £1.5bn in funding."

He added: "But we will not play Russia's game of trading escalatory rhetoric. Unlike Russia, we do not seek confrontation."