There was never a “single argument” to dispute the compelling strategic case to retain RAF Leuchars and its closure will have a “profound effect” on the government’s ability to protect UK citizens, North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell has told The Courier.
The veteran politician is clearly furious over the decision to close the base, defiantly insisting “Leuchars was never meant to close.”
He claimed it had been “dragged on” to a list of under-threat bases against the advice of RAF chiefs and long after the initial terms of the strategic defence review had been set out.
“The decision to close RAF Leuchars is a bitter blow for the local community which has, for almost a year, fought a committed and passionate campaign to keep this air base open,” Sir Menzies said.
“I am hugely disappointed at this decision and still believe that the strategic case for its retention is overwhelming. There has not been a single argument, to my knowledge, that has ever contradicted this.”
He warned that the UK Government breaks the historic link between the local community and the RAF at its peril.
“The RAF has been in Leuchars for nearly a century,” he said. “Over that time the military personnel stationed at Leuchars have been taken into the hearts of the people of Fife and become much valued members of our community.
“We are very proud of the airmen and women stationed here. The bravery and professionalism they have shown in conflicts stretching from the Falklands to Afghanistan has been exemplary.
“And, for their part, the Leuchars personnel have donated their time and energy to making Fife a better place for everyone to live.”DraggedThe former Liberal Democrat leader insists nothing more could have been done in the fight to retain Leuchars and insists the threat was not immediately apparent.
“RAF Leuchars was never meant to close,” he said. “It was not included in last October’s strategic defence review and I understood that its future was secure.
“It was only later that it was dragged on to a list of bases being considered for closure, despite the best efforts of the RAF themselves.”
Sir Menzies paid tribute to the people “from all walks of life” who fought to save the base.
“The box of many thousands of names with which we travelled to London to present to Number 10 Downing Street was described as ‘an impressive document’ by the Ministry of Defence and there is no doubt that they understood the strength of feeling locally.”
He added, “I am steadfast in my view that the decision to close RAF Leuchars has been made for the wrong reasons. This base is best placed to protect the skies above Glasgow and Edinburgh, to patrol important installations like Faslane and Torness and to answer the call should the need arise to protect the population throughout the UK from a terrorist attack from the air in a manner synonymous with the events in the USA on September 11, 2001.”
The MP said his main priority now would be to ensure the government lives up to its promises on the deployment of army troops to Leuchars.
“We will be fighting tooth and nail for the cast-iron commitment that is required to safeguard the prosperity of the local community.”