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The Defense Secretary has been asked to reveal to MPs how the UK is responding to a Russian "spy boat" patrolling UK waters. Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone has raised concerns about sightings of the Admiral Vladimirsky, a Russian ship that was seen off his constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in northern Scotland. Although officially classified as an ocean research vessel, a joint investigation by European broadcasters indicates that it is part of a fleet that surveys key energy sites for possible sabotage.
A Danish news team recently released video of a close encounter with the ship in November last year, showing a man, wearing a balaclava and military gear, and carrying an assault rifle, appearing on the deck of the ship. .
The ship is believed to have entered the Moray Firth on November 10 last year, as part of a month-long voyage through the Baltic and North seas.
Stone asked Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to go to the House of Commons to reveal how the government was responding to the raids.
He said: “It's not a trawler, it's not a pleasure boat, it's a spy boat with armed guards.
“He poked around the Beatrice oil field and looked at the interconnection with my constituency.
"He spied on oil stations in the North Sea and pipelines."
Stone also referred to the as yet unexplained explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline last year, which is still under investigation but is believed to have been intentional.
He added: “We all know what has happened lately in the Baltics with the pipeline.
"I don't like what is happening and I see it as a very important security issue.
“It affects the UK and our energy security.
"What advice can you give me, Madam Vice President, so that the Secretary of Defense comes here and pronounces himself in this urgent situation?"
Deputy Chairman Dame Rosie Winterton responded: "I am sure he is aware that there are avenues through which he can request a statement to be made, but I have to tell you that we have not received any notice of statement at this time.
"Once again, your comments will have been heard and I am sure they will be passed on to the Secretary of State."
A government spokesman said: “Our priority will always be maintaining our national security.
"This is why we increased Royal Navy presence patrols after the Nord Stream incident and invested £65m in the first of our two multi-role ocean surveillance vessels."
PA files
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