EXCLUSIVE: Lib Dem MP Alister Carmichael said the “security of the United Kingdom” has to be “security for everybody in the United Kingdom”.
04:30, 05 Mar 2026
Vladimir Putin(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
One of Scotland’s longest serving MPs has demanded greater defence spending to protect Orkney and Shetland from Putin’s Russia.
Alister Carmichael said he is concerned his constituency would be defenceless if attacked and urged the UK to take the threat “seriously”.
The Lib Dem veteran’s call comes amid concerns of Russian spy ships in UK waters.
According to the Spectator magazine, military officers told MPs of their fears about areas like Orkney and Shetland not being able to defend themselves from Russian aggression.
In an interview with the Record, Carmichael, who has represented the Isles since 2001, also spoke of his concerns about the “High North”, which includes the Arctic.
He said the waters around his constituency are vital for energy security and rich in minerals, and could be targeted by Russia.
“I think you would have to be naive not to have some concerns,” he said.
“My interests first got piqued on this about three years ago with that [Russian] research vessel that was basically sailing up and down the line of pipelines in the North Sea.
“Why would you do that? It’s not something that you would do for any benign reason.”
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Carmichael said the UK depends on “cables” and “pipe lines” on the seabed, adding:
“There was an instance in the January of 25, where Russian ships deliberately cut the cables into the south end of Finland.
“So my reading of that is that this was by way of a warning shot to Finland.”
He said of the UK military fears that Orkney and Shetland could be defenceless:
“That’s my concern. I’m not sure how easily we are defended, but you have to have some sort of response that is available if you need it.”
He said his constituency should “absolutely” benefit from extra defence spending and said greater protection would help NATO:
“It’s not just helping Orkney and Shetland. It’s securing NATO’s position in the northeast Atlantic and we are the obvious people to be doing it.
“We have got skin in the game because you have got a resource in Shetland and Orkney, the maritime industry, the offshore gas industry.”
He added: “I don’t think that there is any part of the United Kingdom that should be left undefended.”
The MP said he is not suggesting an “overstretched” Russian military was poised to land in Lerwick, but his message to the MOD on the threat was stark:
“Take it seriously. The security of the United Kingdom has to be security for everybody in the United Kingdom.
“And be robust in the defences that you put in place, because at the moment those defences are not robust. And we will all suffer as a consequence of getting this one wrong.”
An MOD spokesperson said: “The UK is stepping up to protect the Arctic and High North – doubling the number of Marines we have in Norway, deploying HMS Prince of Wales to the high north and scaling up joint exercises with NATO allies.
“As the Defence Secretary has said, Scotland is on the front-line defending Britain, with key strategic bases playing an increasingly vital role in protecting the North Atlantic from Putin’s aggression.
“The exceptional military personnel serving in Scotland and the 11,800 skilled people across the Scottish defence industry are a credit to this country. Their dedication keeps us secure at home and strong abroad.”