MINISTRY of Defence plans to open up a £1 billion order for three new ships to firms in Germany, Italy and South Korea, has been described as an act of “blatant betrayal” by the First Minister.

The UK Government needs three Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, and has asked foreign yards to make them an offer for the chance to build them.

But Nicola Sturgeon, speaking at First Minister’s Questions, said that was not what was promised in the independence referendum campaign.

“That work should be on the Clyde,” she told MSPs.

“I argue that that work was promised to the Clyde and should definitely go to the Clyde.

“We should be very clear. What we are now seeing develop around that work and the future of the shipyards is nothing short of a blatant betrayal of Scottish shipyards.

“During the referendum, promises were made to those shipyards by the Tories, and indeed, by all the Unionist parties – the shipyards were told of promises of work for years to come.

“The Unionist parties specifically said that if Scotland became independent it would not be able to secure that work for the Clyde because contracts could not go to ‘foreign countries’.

“It is an absolute betrayal and I hope that we will hear all parties across the Parliament stand up for shipbuilding on the Clyde.”

The GMB union wants a UK-only competition, and says it could create 11,000 jobs. In effect, this would give the taxpayer a £285 million rebate through income tax and other benefits.

UK Business Secretary Greg Clark was quizzed on the issue during a Holyrood committee meeting.

Speaking afterwards, Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “Tory ministers appear content to let these jobs and investment go overseas. It is absolutely disgraceful that Greg Clark refused to commit to building these ships in the UK. Scotland’s shipbuilders are world renowned and deserve every support from the UK and Scottish governments.

“The UK Government must urgently reverse this decision to tender this contract internationally.”

Current MoD policy is that only orders for war combat ships such as the Type 26 frigates go to UK yards.

GMB national officer for shipbuilding, Ross Murdoch, said: “Ministers are not bound by normal EU rules on competitive tendering when it comes to military ships. We face being sold down the river if the work goes to subsidised international competitor shipyards.”

An MoD spokesman said they encourage Scottish yards to compete for the contract when it launches later this year: “All our warships are built in the UK, with the Type 26 frigates securing 4000 Scottish jobs and 20 years of work on the Clyde, and industry is preparing to bid for the new Type 31e class,” he said.