Famous sons and daughters of Fife have joined the campaign to save RAF Leuchars.
Hollywood actor Dougray Scott and author Ian Rankin are among the celebrities who have pledged their support for the axe-threatened base.
The public endorsements are the latest step in a campaign spearheaded by north-east Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell to secure the base’s future. The former Lib Dem leader contacted various famous faces with links to Fife and asked them to add their voice to the chorus demanding the base is retained.
Other celebrities to sign up include Charlie and Craig Reid of The Proclaimers, who spent part of their childhood in Auchtermuchty, writer Val McDermid, from Kirkcaldy, and Dunfermline-born film-maker Richard Jobson.
Sir Menzies expressed his delighted at the roll call of high-profile figures who are backing the campaign.
“Getting the support of these famous Fifers is a terrific boost in the fight to save Leuchars and shows just how much people care about the base and those stationed at it,” he said. “These are all household names who have never forgotten their roots.
“The support for the campaign has been overwhelming, with members of all parties and none, the famous Fifers and local communities all pulling together to save the base. The case of RAF Leuchars is overwhelming.”
The news comes after a motion calling for the retention of RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth was overwhelmingly carried at the Scottish Liberal Democrat spring conference in Perth on Saturday. The motion, which was proposed by the North East and Central Fife branch of the Lib Dems, said losing either base would be “detrimental” to the defence of the UK.
Speaking for motion at the conference, Sir Menzies outlined the strategic case for the base. He said the threat of terrorism from the air was “extremely acute” and jets scrambled from Leuchars were best placed to defend facilities such as the Faslane nuclear base or potential targets in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
“RAF Leuchars is perfectly situated to carry out this defensive role,” he said.
Fraser Phillips, chairman of the campaign group Residents Action Force (RAF) Leuchars, welcomed the latest move to save the base.
“There is much support for the case to keep the RAF in Leuchars. We are a motivated group, inspired to do all we can to ensure our voices are heard by the UK MoD and Treasury. We know that there are many voices of support out there and we intend to rally them into action.”
Recent MoD leaks have suggested Leuchars would be shut to spare RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.