DUNFERMLINE MP Douglas Chapman held a call with Babcock CEO David Lockwood recently regarding the firm's future in this country.

Last month, the dockyard boss had claimed that if Scotland voted Yes to independence, the company may be forced to relocate.

The SNP MP said: "I was pleased to catch up with Mr Lockwood following the press speculation on the future of Rosyth.

"Throughout my time as MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, I’ve made clear my support for Babcock, their workforce and its importance as a major employer in West Fife.

"That support will continue in the event of independence; indeed, an independent Scotland would welcome businesses such as Babcock and be happy to work with them to secure future success.

"I stressed that point to Mr Lockwood in our recent discussion and have assured him the firm will always have an important role to play in the success of the West Fife economy."

Speaking after the Prime Minister's visit to the Rosyth yard, Mr Lockwood said the company would be able to replicate the site in England if they were no longer welcome in Scotland.

Mr Chapman added: "Over the years, Babcock has invested a huge amount in new, high-tech infrastructure at the dockyard and have a skilled, settled and dedicated workforce, and it now has ambitious plans for the future.

"I hope that continues and I look forward to maintaining a positive relationship with Babcock and their workforce in the years to come."

In parliament last month, MP Deidre Brock had asked Babcock's chief corporate affairs officer, John Howie, to clarify the situation.

He said: "I think what the chief executive was trying to do was deal with ... there's always competing pieces between shareholders who worry about what constitutional changes mean for business continuity.

"And the reality is that our business can operate from wherever it needs to but we're not expecting ... we wouldn't have invested that money in the site at Rosyth if we were expecting to make changes to it."