EAST Lothian's MP has asked the Prime Minister whether she would be prepared to kill thousands of "innocent" people during a heated debate on the UK's nucelar weapons system.

MPs are currently debating whether to renew Trident, the UK's nuclear weapons programme, which is based at Faslane.

During the debate at the House of Commons, George Kerevan, SNP MP for East Lothian, asked Prime Minister Theresa May: "Is she personally prepared to authorise a nuclear strike that could kill 100,000 innocent men, women and children?"

Mrs May replied: "Yes."

She went on to say that the "whole point of a deterrent" was the willingness to use it.

MPs will vote on the issue later on today.

It is expected that the Conservative Government - which backs renewing Trident - will comfortably win the vote, with the opposition Labour Party split on the issue.

Mr Kerevan and his SNP colleagues oppose renewing Trident.