Despite persistent leaks, speculation and rumour, no decision has yet been taken on the future of RAF Leuchars, armed forces minister Nick Harvey has revealed.
Ahead of a visit to Fife he said he “understood” the concerns of local people but insisted it was important to take time to make the “right” decision.
Mr Harvey also dismissed “uninformed media speculation” which had suggested the Fife base would be replaced by a barracks for troops returning from Germany as army brass fancied playing golf in St Andrews.
North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell had written to Mr Harvey to express his concern over “leaks and speculation” attributed to Ministry of Defence sources.
Responding to those concerns, Mr Harvey said, “The work now being carried out is about military capability.
“The analysis being conducted by the Ministry of Defence puts operational considerations at the forefront and they are uppermost in my mind as we go through the decision-making process.”
With Fife Council warning closure could cost the region £60 million and 2000 jobs, Mr Harvey said “wider considerations” would also be taken into account.
He said, “The government and the MoD face severe financial pressures so inevitably there is a financial dimension.
“However, we have not ignored the wider impacts our decisions could have.”Golf courses ‘not a deciding factor’Referring to reports suggesting the army could soon be taking up residence in Fife, Mr Harvey said, “I can assure you one factor certainly not being considered is the convenient availability of golf courses.”
He was at pains to stress no decision has yet been taken and that no announcement will be made this side of the Scottish parliamentary elections.
Mr Harvey said, “The complex nature of the work involved means that we now consider it very unlikely that we will be able to make final decisions before the elections on May 5.
“Officials involved are well aware of the need not to fuel speculation and will continue to be impartial and factual in what we say and do.
“However, we have not yet found a way to prevent uninformed media speculation and I fear this may well continue.”
Mr Harvey said he appreciated that the future of RAF Leuchars represents a “matter of real concern” for local people and insisted he, too, was taking it “very seriously indeed.”
Sir Menzies said, “The continued rumour and speculation over the future of RAF Leuchars which had been reported to have originated from within the Ministry of Defence has been unhelpful and has only served to heighten the anxiety levels within the local community.
“This response from the minister for the armed forces is reassuring in that he states that no decisions have been made and previously reported trivial matters such as the availability of top-class golf courses are certainly not a deciding factor in the basing review.”