Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has written to the UK defence secretary after it emerged fewer MoD troops are set to be stationed north of the border than originally promised.
Nicola Sturgeon penned the letter to Philip Hammond following reports that around 600 troops would be moved into bases across Scotland, compared to 7,000 promised by Mr Hammond’s predecessor, Liam Fox.
It came as defence sources said £60 million would be invested in the Leuchars base to accommodate the Army’s arrival.
Ms Sturgeon said: “From these reports the UK Government appears to have backtracked spectacularly on its commitments to Scotland.
“Scotland has already been disproportionately affected by the defence cuts, and despite suggestions that there would be an increase of between 5,000 and 7,500 in the number of Army personnel based here, we now hear those commitments will not be met and that any increase may be limited to only a few hundred army personnel.
“That will do little to halt the long-term and disproportionate decline in the overall numbers of military personnel in Scotland.
“I am writing to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond to clarify urgently the position for Scotland and to urge him to fulfil the promises that were made to Scotland when our RAF bases were shut,” she said.
“The Ministry of Defence has a history of failing to ensure Scotland receives the full share of resources that we are currently entitled too. Instead of redressing the balance, the UK Government is once again letting Scotland down.”
In 2011 the then defence secretary Liam Fox promised that 6,500 to 7,000 additional soldiers would be located in Scotland to be part of a new multi-role brigade, that new barracks would be built at Kirknewton in West Lothian and a new training area would be established in the Borders. The move would partially make up for recent disproportionate cuts in manpower, spending and basing in Scotland.
SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesperson Angus Robertson said: “If these reports are true, then this is a monumental betrayal of Scotland’s defence personnel, their families, and the people of Scotland.
“The SNP has already set out its defence plans for an independent Scotland in some detail, with proposals for 15,000 service personnel in Scotland. This would be significantly more than the UK foresees being based in Scotland.”
However, a senior defence source hit back at the attacks and said the UK Government’s plans were “a welcome change to the nationalists’ defence policy”.