Less than a week after his party’s sweeping win in the Scottish elections, First Minister Alex Salmond has said the Scottish Government will stand “shoulder to shoulder” with those battling for the retention of RAF Leuchars.
With renewed speculation surrounding the future of both the Fife base and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Mr Salmond called on the UK Government to provide some “straight answers.”
There are suggestions an army base could be established on one of the sites if the RAF has been removed. However, the Ministry of Defence has repeatedly insisted no decision has yet been taken.
Mr Salmond insists the closure of either Scottish base would be “indefensible and unforgivable.”
“It is completely unacceptable that the people of Fife and Moray are having to endure such a long period of uncertainty,” Mr Salmond said. “Scottish Government ministers stand shoulder to shoulder with community and council leaders in Fife and Moray as they campaign to protect local jobs, infrastructure and investment in the face of unprecedented cuts from Westminster.
“We urgently need clarity from the MoD on the future of these important RAF bases.”
Mr Salmond insists the case for the retention of both Leuchars and Lossiemouth is “overwhelming”.
“It would be indefensible and unforgivable for either of Scotland’s two remaining RAF bases to close, especially on the back of the UK Government’s decision to close RAF Kinloss,” he continued. “The case for retaining both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars is overwhelming.
“The people and communities whose livelihoods rely on our surviving air bases demand and deserve some straight answers from the UK Government.”
An economic impact assessment drawn up by Fife Council this year warned that the closure of RAF Leuchars could cost the local economy £60 million. Around 2000 jobs could also be lost.
Community leaders have also warned local schools would struggle to survive and the housing market would be dealt a blow. An announcement from the Ministry of Defence is expected this summer.