The “vital” strategic role played by axe-threatened RAF Leuchars in protecting Scotland from rogue aircraft has been outlined to the UK’s armed forces minister.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said on Tuesday night he was “encouraged” after meeting Nick Harvey to press the case for the Fife air base.
“It was a really constructive meeting which went through all the issues regarding RAF Leuchars and its importance to Fife and Scotland,” he told The Courier. “I felt the minister took a really serious interest in what we had to say and hope that will play an important part when the decision is being made.
“I am encouraged that the armed forces minister was interested to hear of the strategic case for Leuchars and hope this plays an important role with the Ministry of Defence.”
A major campaign has been launched to save the base, which is vital to the economy in Fife and Tayside, and employs 1560 service personnel and 220 civilian staff.
Over 17,000 people have signed up to a Facebook page supporting the cause, while a number of online petitions have gathered in excess of 3000 names.
North East Fife’s Lib Dem MP, Sir Menzies Campbell and MSP Iain Smith also attended the meeting to put their views to the minister.
Sir Menzies said there had been a “free and frank exchange.”
“We emphasised the strategic case for Leuchars as we have done throughout the debate on the future of RAF bases in Scotland,” he added. “I particularly drew the minister’s attention to the vital role fulfilled by RAF Leuchars in the air defence of northern Britain.
“I also emphasised that the strategic arguments which resulted in Leuchars being assigned as a base for the Eurofighter Typhoon has never been challenged.”
Local MSP Iain Smith described the meeting as “helpful.”
He said, “We mainly concentrated on the strategic case for Leuchars and its role in dealing with rogue aircrafts in northern British airspace.”
Mr Smith added that the armed forces minister repeated assurances no decision had been taken on the future of Leuchars.
Mr Scott added, “I would have grave concerns if the decision was not taken in a transparent way.”